A UNF poll shows most Democrats and independents see work by ICE agents in a negative light.
More Florida voters disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of immigration than support it.
That’s according to a poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab. That showed 49% of likely Midterm voters disapprove of the administration’s immigration policies, while 48% approve. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) received the worst marks, with 55% offering a poor assessment of the federal agency, including 48% who strongly disapprove. Only 42% approve of ICE’s work.
Dr. Sean Freeder, PORL director and professor of political science, noted ICE found itself in worse shape in the public policy arena than Trump, who is also underwater with 48% disapproval ratings and 45% approval in the same poll.
“Floridians seem more willing to direct their dissatisfaction with immigration policy to ICE than Trump,” Freeder said.
Among independents, about 60% disapprove of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, while 69% give ICE a bad review when asked specifically about ICE’s performance. Meanwhile, 84% of Republicans give the administration a favorable rating on immigration, compared to 78% who give ICE a favorable rating.
Even among Democrats, marks are worse when asked about ICE than about Trump. About 92% disapprove of ICE, compared to 89% who blame the administration for the issue.
But the poll found voters taking specific issue with the opening of detention facilities like Alligator Alcatraz in the state.
“Building detention facilities in Florida is particularly unpopular, which may give pause to state officials who wish to partner with the federal government in their efforts,” Freeder said.
About 57% of poll respondents oppose the opening of any more detention facilities in Florida, compared to 39% who want more opened. Notably, 71% of Republican voters in the state said they want to see an expansion in detention centers, as do 66% of voters who supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election.