Recent poll data from Fox News has underscored the stark political divide regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation policies. The survey, conducted from July 18 to 21, 2025, indicates that Democrats are significantly more likely to criticize the agency’s enforcement actions as overly harsh, with 81% of them expressing such concerns. In contrast, only 17% of Republicans share this view, suggesting that the debate over immigration enforcement remains deeply polarized along partisan lines. This divide is further reflected in the broader public’s perception of ICE’s role in managing illegal immigration, with about half of voters saying the agency’s deportation efforts are too aggressive.
The survey highlights an evolving perspective on immigration enforcement. While a majority of voters historically supported the deportation of all illegal immigrants since 2015, the latest poll shows a shift in attitudes. Roughly 30% of respondents back deporting all unauthorized immigrants, while 60% support deporting those with criminal records but allowing others to stay and apply for citizenship. A smaller group, around 10%, favors letting all illegal immigrants remain in the U.S. This variation in public opinion underscores the importance of political affiliation in shaping attitudes toward immigration policy. Republicans, in particular, are eight times more likely than Democrats to support strict deportation measures, with 54% of them advocating for the deportation of all illegal immigrants, while only 7% of Democrats endorse such a stance.
Independent voters fall somewhere in the middle, with 25% supporting strict enforcement and 49% believing that ICE is too aggressive. These findings reflect broader ideological differences within the U.S. political landscape. The survey also reveals that voter concerns about illegal immigration have shifted over time, with fewer people expressing worries about crime and terrorism compared to the past. Instead, the biggest concern among voters is the perceived strain on government programs caused by illegal immigration, with 39% of respondents citing this as their primary concern. This shift in priorities may signal a broader public perception that immigration policy needs to address economic and social costs, rather than security threats.
Furthermore, the poll indicates dissatisfaction with recent immigration-related provisions in Republican legislative proposals. A majority of voters oppose increased spending on the border wall and immigrant detention centers, suggesting that there is growing public resistance to policies that focus on enforcement rather than integration. Public opinion also favors the Republican Party as the better option for handling immigration issues, with 55% of voters believing the GOP is more effective than the Democratic Party in this regard. However, this assessment does not extend to other policy areas, where voter confidence in both parties remains low. Overall, Trump’s job ratings are strongest on border security and immigration, but his performance is more controversial on foreign policy and the economy.
Among Hispanic voters, attitudes toward immigration mirror the broader public, with 60% supporting the deportation of illegal immigrants with criminal convictions. A significant portion, however, believes that ICE has been too aggressive in its deportation efforts, with 57% expressing this concern. While Trump maintains strong approval on border security among Hispanic voters, his performance on immigration is more controversial, with 60% disapproving. These findings highlight the complexity of immigration policy in the United States, where public opinion is shaped by both political affiliation and demographic factors. As the debate over immigration continues, the Fox News poll illustrates the deepening ideological and demographic divides that continue to shape the national conversation on the issue.