A new YouGov poll shows 52% of Americans disapprove of ICE’s handling of its duties, with 51% calling its tactics “too forceful,” following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE removal officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis has sparked a wave of public disapproval, with a new YouGov poll revealing that 52% of Americans now disapprove of how Immigration and Customs Enforcement is handling its duties. The poll, conducted on January 7 and released the following day, shows that 40% of respondents “strongly disapprove” and 12% “somewhat disapprove” of the agency’s operations.
A separate YouGov poll, also released on January 8, found that 51% of respondents believe ICE’s tactics are “too forceful.” Both polls surveyed 2,686 U.S. adults, highlighting a significant shift in public perception following the Minneapolis incident.
The Minneapolis Shooting and Its Aftermath
The shooting occurred on January 7, when Ross fired at Good’s vehicle. Video analysis by the New York Times suggests Good’s vehicle was turning away from the officer at the time of the shooting, contradicting the Trump administration’s claim that the shooting was in self-defense. The incident has ignited nationwide protests, with demonstrators calling for greater accountability and reform within ICE.
Historical Context and Public Sentiment
This poll marks a stark contrast to ICE’s favorability in February 2025, just after President Donald Trump took office. At that time, the agency had a net favorability rating of 16 percentage points, according to another YouGov poll. The shift in public opinion reflects growing concerns over ICE’s aggressive enforcement tactics, which have been a cornerstone of Trump’s immigration policy.
Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology at the University of South Carolina, told USA TODAY that a full investigation into Good’s killing is necessary. “It clearly looks like she was driving away,” Alpert said, noting that the video evidence appears to contradict the administration’s narrative.
Political and Social Reactions
The shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon—where two people were injured by Customs and Border Protection agents—have prompted calls for state investigations from local officials. Protests have erupted across the country, with demonstrators demanding transparency and reform. In Minneapolis, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and other lawmakers were denied entry to an ICE detention facility, further escalating tensions.
Broader Implications for Immigration Policy
The Minneapolis shooting is the latest in a series of high-profile incidents involving federal agents under the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Trump’s promise of mass deportations and the deployment of heavily armed federal agents have intensified public scrutiny of ICE’s operations. The poll results suggest that the agency’s tactics may be alienating a significant portion of the American public, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of such policies.
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