Image Credentials: Image Title: PUBLIC BACKLASH: Majority of Americans Believe Trump Has “Gone Too Far” with Urban Immigration Surges. Source: (sora.openai) Date: February 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle Staff | Thursday, February 12, 2026
WASHINGTON – A new poll released Thursday reveals a deepening rift between the White House and the American public over the administration’s aggressive use of federal power. According to the latest survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, approximately 6 in 10 Americans believe President Trump has overstepped his authority regarding the deployment of federal immigration agents to major U.S. cities.
The findings arrive at a critical juncture for the administration, coinciding with the announced drawdown of federal forces in Minnesota and a looming Department of Homeland Security shutdown on Capitol Hill.
Brutal. Trump’s worst immigration poll yet,
6 in 10 disapprove of the way Trump is handling issue of border security and immigration. pic.twitter.com/xFfFBuYSTt
— Maine (@TheMaineWonk) February 11, 2026
A Nation Divided by Tactics
The poll highlights a significant shift in public sentiment since the launch of “Operation Metro Surge” earlier this year. While border security remains a priority for many voters, the tactical shift toward heavy-handed enforcement in metropolitan “sanctuary” areas has alienated a broad swath of the electorate.
Key findings from the report include:
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Overreach Concerns: 61% of respondents said the administration has “gone too far” in deploying tactical units, often wearing masks and lacking traditional identification, to cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Portland.
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Partisan Divide: While 85% of Democrats and 62% of Independents view the surges as an overreach, support remains high among Republicans, with 72% favoring the administration’s “law and order” approach.
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Safety vs. Sovereignty: Only 38% of Americans believe the presence of federal agents has made their communities safer, while a majority expressed concern that such deployments undermine the authority of local police and governors.
The “Minnesota Effect”
The data suggests that recent events in Minnesota—specifically the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens during federal raids, have catalyzed this growing disapproval. The poll found that 55% of Americans are “extremely concerned” about the lack of transparency and body-camera usage among the specialized units reporting to Border Czar Tom Homan.
“What we are seeing is a fundamental discomfort with the ‘federalization’ of local law enforcement,” said a lead researcher at AP-NORC. “The public supports immigration enforcement in theory, but the reality of masked federal agents on residential streets has created a visceral negative reaction.”
Political Implications for 2026
The timing of the poll is particularly precarious for the White House. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Republican candidates in swing districts are reportedly worried that the “urban surge” strategy may be a liability.
The poll also touched on the ongoing dispute between the White House and Democratic governors. Over 50% of respondents sided with the governors who boycotted this week’s White House dinner, viewing the exclusion of certain state leaders as “unproductive” to national security.
As the administration prepares to redeploy agents from Minnesota to other regions, the AP-NORC data suggests that the White House is facing not just a legal and legislative battle, but a significant challenge in the court of public opinion.