Polls indicate that President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies have divided voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. A Fox News poll conducted in September found that 53 percent of registered voters believe the immigration crackdown has "gone too far," with 60 percent of independent voters and two-thirds of Hispanic participants agreeing with this sentiment.
Experts note that the political discourse surrounding immigration has evolved since the last major election in 2024, shifting from a focus on border security to the methods of enforcement. Cynthia Penaloza, whose sister was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a traffic stop in Houston, Texas, expressed concerns about the impact of these tactics on her family. "We’re always afraid. We’re uncertain of what’s going to happen," she stated.
The Trump administration has characterized its immigration enforcement efforts as targeting serious criminals. The Department of Homeland Security has claimed that its policies have allowed ICE to focus on "the worst of the worst" illegal aliens, including violent offenders. However, critics challenge this narrative, pointing to data from the Deportation Data Project indicating that approximately 70 percent of individuals in ICE detention have no criminal record.
ICE reported over 50,000 immigration arrests for two consecutive months, surpassing previous records. Tom Homan, the White House border czar, emphasized the need for increased arrests and deportations.
As Republicans aim to maintain their congressional majorities, Trump's support among Hispanic voters has shown signs of decline, dropping from 93 percent approval at the beginning of 2025 to 57 percent recently. Some Republican candidates, such as Congress member Maria Elvira Salazar, have publicly criticized Trump’s immigration policies, while others attribute the current immigration issues to past administrations.
Democrats are looking to leverage public discontent over immigration enforcement in the upcoming elections, with some calling for the abolition of ICE. Richard Gonzales, chair of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party, stated that the agency has lost its identity and cannot be rehabilitated.