# What people say about ICE

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/what-adults-say-about-ice/
Published: 2026-05-12

> Featured topic in Politics.

About 56% describe ICE negatively, while adults are nearly split on whether ICE protects Americans.

## Overview: ICE views

Adults are more negative than positive toward ICE overall. About 56% describe their opinion as negative, while 31% describe it as positive.

The statement frames show why the issue is more cross-pressured than a single favorability number. About 44% agree that ICE protects Americans, while 54% agree that ICE threatens Americans.

## Overall opinion leans negative

About 34% describe their view of ICE as extremely negative, and 56% are at least slightly negative overall.

Positive views are lower: about 31% describe their opinion as at least slightly positive.

## The protect frame is nearly split

Asked whether ICE protects Americans, adults divide closely. About 44% agree, while 43% disagree.

That split is not the same as the overall favorability result, which is more negative.

## The threat frame lands more strongly

A larger share agrees that ICE threatens Americans: about 54% agree with that statement, compared with 34% who disagree.

Together, the measures show a public view that is negative overall but still pulled between protection and threat language.

## Supporting evidence

### 56% describe ICE negatively, compared with 31% positively.

Question: How would you describe your opinion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in the U.S.?

Note: Shows overall opinion of ICE.

Topline:

- Extremely negative: 34.4%
- Neutral: 13.8%
- Negative: 13.6%
- Positive: 13.1%
- Extremely positive: 11.9%
- Slightly negative: 7.4%
- Slightly positive: 5.7%

### 44% agree that ICE protects Americans, while 43% disagree.

Question: Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protects Americans.

Note: Tests whether adults agree that ICE protects Americans.

Topline:

- Completely disagree: 23.8%
- Completely agree: 18.7%
- Somewhat agree: 13.9%
- Neither agree nor disagree: 12.7%
- Disagree: 12.0%
- Agree: 11.5%
- Somewhat disagree: 7.4%

### 54% agree that ICE threatens Americans.

Question: Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) threatens Americans.

Note: Tests whether adults agree that ICE threatens Americans.

Topline:

- Completely agree: 30.5%
- Completely disagree: 19.7%
- Neither agree nor disagree: 12.2%
- Somewhat agree: 12.1%
- Agree: 11.5%
- Disagree: 8.2%
- Somewhat disagree: 5.8%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: politics
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Sources

- [How would you describe your opinion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in the U.S.?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.22): reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26: Shows overall opinion of ICE.
- [Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protects Americans.](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.14): reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26: Tests whether adults agree that ICE protects Americans.
- [Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) threatens Americans.](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.14): reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26: Tests whether adults agree that ICE threatens Americans.

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.22](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-4.22)