A new national CBS News poll conducted January 14–16, 2026, reveals a sharply divided American electorate on immigration enforcement and public reaction to recent federal operations. The survey shows that while overall support for President Trump’s deportation program has dipped to its lowest point in his second term following the widely publicized fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Republicans remain overwhelmingly supportive of the broader policy and critical of demonstrations against federal agents.

According to the poll, a strong majority of Republican respondents continue to back the Trump administration’s program to deport undocumented immigrants living in the United States, even as national sentiment has shifted. Republicans reported firm approval of the deportation strategy and expressed the view that protesters opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have “gone too far.” This partisan contrast reflects deep divisions in public opinion, with Republicans framing the controversy around enforcement authority and the need to uphold immigration law.

Nationwide, the CBS poll reports that a growing share of Americans now characterize ICE’s tactics as excessively tough, and a slim majority across the electorate believes Mexico and other partners should play a larger role in managing undocumented immigration. Overall support for the deportation program still exists, but it has declined compared to previous months, driven in part by high-profile incidents that have prompted intense media coverage and local protests.

The shooting of Renee Good on January 7 in Minneapolis — an event that sparked demonstrations in cities across the country — has amplified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement. Polling outside of the CBS survey shows that a majority of voters view the use of lethal force in that case as unjustified and believe ICE’s actions in some communities have made cities less safe overall, illustrating shifting perceptions among independents and Democrats alike. 

Despite those trends, Republicans remain consistent in their support for strong enforcement. GOP respondents broadly endorsed continued deportation efforts and expressed frustration with nationwide protests against ICE actions, arguing that maintaining the rule of law and securing the border are essential priorities. The party’s stance signals enduring support for a central pillar of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda even as broader national sentiment becomes more mixed.

The CBS poll highlights a stark partisan divide: while Republicans double down on enforcement, a significant portion of the overall electorate questions the way ICE is operating, underscoring the challenge the administration faces in maintaining broad public approval of its immigration strategy.