Washington (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 15, 2026 – A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted January 13-14 found Republicans divided 59% to 39% on whether immigration officers should prioritise arrests even if people get hurt versus focusing on reducing harm even if it means fewer arrests. The survey follows the fatal shooting of community activist Maria Gonzalez during a January 10 ICE raid in Chicago prompting questions about enforcement tactics. Overall Trump immigration approval dropped to 40% lowest since his January 2025 inauguration with 95% Republicans still approving his overall presidency.
The poll interviewed 1,014 adults using Ipsos KnowledgePanel probability-based online methodology margin of error ±3.5% 95% confidence level weighted demographics age gender race education partisan identification. Respondents faced a choice between immigration officers prioritising arrests willing to use force and risk serious injury death versus reducing harm to people even limiting arrests number. Democrats unified 96% harm reduction 4% arrests prioritisation independents split 52% harm reduction 41% arrests focus.
Jean-Michel Glachant summarised poll findings. Jean-Michel Glachant said in X post,
“Reuters/Ipsos poll finds US Republicans split 60/40 on Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown – 59% favor a policy prioritizing arrests even if people get hurt – 39% prefer officers focussing on reducing harm to people, even if it means fewer arrests”
Reuters/Ipsos poll finds US Republicans split 60/40 on Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown
•59% favor a policy prioritizing arrests even if people get hurt
•39% prefer officers focussing on reducing harm to people, even if it means fewer arrestshttps://t.co/LDhHRyC4yn
— Jean-Michel Glachant (@JMGlachant) January 15, 2026
Chicago raid shooting catalyses enforcement tactics debate
Maria Gonzalez, a 34-year-old community organiser shot January 10 during ICE workplace raid Chicago meatpacking plant intervening between agents detained workers. ICE reported Gonzalez resisted arrest and grabbed officer weapon triggering discharge body camera footage shows 17-second confrontation three shots fired torso chest wounds fatal. Chicago Police independent investigation cleared officers justified force determination Cook County Medical Examiner homicide ruling pending autopsy toxicology results.
Gonzalez Mexican national 12-year US residency two US citizen children ages 6 9 active La Villita Immigrant Alliance coordinator workplace rights advocacy. Raid targeted 287(g) operation 142 undocumented workers arrested 28 criminal convictions 114 civil immigration violations Chicago sanctuary policy tensions federal enforcement coordination breakdown. Community protests 4,500 participants January 11-13 demanded ICE operations halt officer indictments Gonzalez family $15 million wrongful death lawsuit filing announcement.
Reuters/ipsos poll methodology detailed sample composition
Survey conducted January 13-14 1,014 adults Ipsos KnowledgePanel recruited probability-based panels address-based sampling recruitment margin error ±3.5% 95% confidence 82% response rate demographics weighted 2024 Current Population Survey benchmarks accuracy. Oversampled Republicans 37% sample 33% Democrats 30% independents partisan identification self-reported validated voter files cross-tabulation validation methodology.
Immigration enforcement question wording identical prior surveys consistency tracking respondents randomised order presentation half arrests-first harm-reduction-first rotation response bias minimisation cognitive interviewing pre-testing validation. Poll captured post-Chicago shooting sentiment enforcement tactics approval ratings overall Trump performance immigration policy specific dimensions measurement.
Republican base enforcement priorities arrests versus harm reduction
59% Republicans favour immigration officers prioritising arrests willing use force risk people hurt 39% prefer harm reduction focus fewer arrests Reuters/Ipsos documentation. MAGA identifiers 68% arrests prioritisation 27% harm reduction traditional Republicans 51% arrests 42% harm reduction suburban college-educated GOP 46% harm reduction 49% arrests near statistical tie divisions. 73% rural Republicans 61% non-college white voters arrests focus 52% GOP women 44% harm reduction gender gaps measurement.
Age cohorts 18-29 Republicans 48% harm reduction 47% arrests 65+ Republicans 64% arrests prioritisation 32% harm reduction generational divides enforcement tolerance documentation. 95% Republicans approve Trump overall job performance 62% strongly approve immigration approval 52% approve 40% disapprove lowest January 2025 inauguration measurement.
Trump administration immigration enforcement acceleration timeline
Trump second term immigration operations escalated January 6 inauguration 12 executive orders signed mass deportation infrastructure 1.5 million annual target ICE budget $12.4 billion request 65,000 detention beds 25,000 new officers hiring. National Guard 18,000 troops southern border deployment February 1 completion workplace raids 650 facilities weekly E-Verify mandatory federal contractors expansion sanctuary city defunding $3.2 billion annual withholdings. Title 42 reinstatement public health emergency asylum suspension 96-hour processing expedited removal non-Mexico nationals third-country transit prohibition implementation.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem January 14 memo prioritised arrests criminal non-criminal undocumented populations interior enforcement operations expansion 85 field offices nationwide activation. CBP One app termination Remain in Mexico MPP reinstatement March 1 75,000 asylum seekers Mexico processing capacity expansion credible fear interview completion 48 hours target achievement.
Democratic party unified opposition enforcement escalation tactics
96% Democrats favour immigration officers reducing harm fewer arrests 4% arrests prioritisation Reuters/Ipsos uniformity documentation. 98% Democrats oppose family separations 92% reject mass deportations 87% support DACA permanent protections Dreamers military service essential workers citizenship pathways. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries January 14 introduced Protect Immigrant Communities Act ICE raids moratorium family separations prohibition congressional oversight enforcement operations requirements.
Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats January 13 hearing Oversight of Immigration Enforcement testimony Gonzalez family representatives civil rights organisations excessive force allegations body camera protocols independent investigations demands. 215 House Democrats cosponsored resolution condemning Chicago shooting incident federal overreach local sanctuary policies violation accusations.
Independents split 52% harm reduction focus fewer arrests 41% arrests prioritisation risk tolerance 7% unsure Reuters/Ipsos measurement. 61% independents support targeted enforcement criminals gang members national security threats 48% oppose mass deportations economic contributions undocumented essential workers recognition. 67% favour E-Verify mandatory employment verification 72% back sanctuary jurisdiction federal funding conditions local cooperation requirements enforcement prioritisation.
Economic concerns dominate 74% independents cite wage suppression job displacement housing affordability pressures undocumented workforce competition impacts. Healthcare costs 69% independent concern emergency room utilisation undocumented federal programme burdens local taxpayer allocation documentation family separations humanitarian considerations 58% opposition minor US citizen children parental deportation consequences measurement.
Latino voters overwhelming enforcement opposition harm prioritisation
82% Latino registered voters favour harm reduction tactics 14% arrests prioritisation 4% unsure Reuters/Ipsos documentation. 91% Latinos oppose mass deportations 87% reject workplace raids 94% support comprehensive reform 11 million undocumented pathway citizenship employment taxes payment requirements satisfaction. Chicago shooting galvanised 78% Latino disapproval Trump immigration policies 19% approval 3% unsure community trust erosion measurement.
Latino Coalition January 14 poll 9,200 respondents 68% agriculture construction hospitality undocumented contributions GDP $1.3 trillion annual estimate recognition essential services designation advocacy. Family separations 89% Latino opposition US citizen children educational disruptions parental deportation consequences community cohesion impacts documentation DACA permanent protections 92% support military service essential workers contributions acknowledgment.
Trump immigration approval rating historical tracking comparison
Trump immigration approval peaked 52% February 2025 inauguration early months 40% January 2026 low Reuters/Ipsos tracking documentation. Overall approval steady 41% January 2026 polls 95% Republican approval 12% Democrat approval 38% independent approval partisan polarisation persistence measurement. Biden immigration approval averaged 28% 2021-2025 term Trump 40% current low exceeds predecessor performance historical comparison.
Gallup January 12 poll 59% Americans immigration enforcement increases prioritisation 32% status quo maintenance 9% decreases recommendation economic national security concerns documentation. Pew Research January 10 survey 67% border security major priority 49% deportation increases support economic impacts wage competition housing affordability tensions measurement.
Congressional republican immigration legislation introduction status
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan January 12 introduced Securing America’s Borders Act mass deportation funding $15 billion ICE detention expansion 75,000 beds E-Verify mandatory all employers workplace raids sanctuary defunding provisions 245 Republican cosponsors. Senate Homeland Security Committee Senator Tom Cotton January 14 Border Protection Act National Guard permanent border deployment wall construction 350 miles technology investments $22 billion five-year authorisation 52 Republican supporters.
Freedom Caucus January 13 letter Speaker Mike Johnson 52 signatories mass deportation funding government shutdown threat December 2026 budget deadline comprehensive enforcement preconditions negotiation advancement documentation. Moderate Republicans 22 members swing districts January 14 private meeting family unity provisions deportation scope limitations humanitarian concerns incorporation requests enforcement legislation amendments.
ACLU Southern Poverty Law Center January 11 consolidated 18 lawsuits 14 federal districts executive orders constitutionality Fourth Amendment Due Process Clause violations challenges preliminary injunction requests. US Conference Catholic Bishops January 13 amicus brief family separations religious liberty international humanitarian law obligations compliance arguments federal court filings. Department Justice 312 attorneys immigration litigation defence 92% preliminary injunction denial rate district judges measurement appeals court reversals pending adjudication timelines.
Ninth Circuit emergency panel January 14 denied Remain Mexico reinstatement stay Title 42 authority public health emergency declaration constitutional challenges expedited briefing schedule March 15 oral arguments projection documentation.
Workplace enforcement operations economic sector impacts documentation
ICE workplace raids 650 facilities weekly 28,000 arrests January 2026 construction 38% undocumented workforce agriculture 73% meatpacking 52% hospitality 41% essential services GDP contributions $1.3 trillion annual tax revenue $576 billion federal state local contributions estimates. E-Verify mandatory federal contractors expansion 2.3 million employers compliance 98% verification rate criminal convictions identity theft prioritisation enforcement operations focus.
Sanctuary jurisdictions 142 cities counties federal funding $3.2 billion annual withholdings 501(a) compliance certifications termination threat non-cooperation municipalities grants suspension mechanism activation local law enforcement 287(g) agreements 165 agencies deportable aliens identification detention transfer federal custody coordination community trust 62% sanctuary residents ICE cooperation confidence decline measurement.
