News - Public dissatisfaction is increasing regarding Trump's immigration policies following fatal incidents.

In a scenario reflecting rising public dissent, President Donald Trump's immigration policy approval ratings have taken a historical downturn, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, following two high-profile fatalities involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. The poll, conducted from January 23 to January 25, captures national sentiment both before and after the incidents involving U.S. citizens, which sparked widespread unrest. Among those surveyed, 53% expressed disapproval regarding Trump's handling of immigration, marking a decline from a 41% approval draw parallel a few weeks earlier. Conducted with a margin of error of about three percentage points, this nationwide poll sampled the opinions of 1,139 U.S. citizens. Initially rising in favorability post his January 2025 office assumption, Trump's decisive immigration stance, including a pledge for widespread deportations, has seen a shift. Opting for tactical gear-laden agents visibly patrolling cities, protests have amassed, particularly in Minneapolis, where responses by agents have led to lethal consequences. Prominently, the casualties of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and Renee Nicole Good have fueled the backlash. Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was reportedly involved in a protest confrontation, resulting in his death on January 24. The narrative from Trump’s administration alleges Pretti's assault on officers, though eyewitness accounts dispute this claim. Similarly, Good, also 37, faced fatality at the hands of federal agents during a January 7 raid. These incidents have drawn Republican demands for deeper investigations, while Democratic counterparts hold reservations about federal agency funding amidst shutdown speculations. Public sentiment mirrors broader dissatisfaction, with Trump’s overall approval rating dwindling to 38%, equaling his lowest term mark. Notably, 58% of participants criticized the operational extremes of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with sentiments starkly divided across partisan lines. In response, President Trump has committed to dispatching Border Czar Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minnesota, where Governor Tim Walz affirmed an agreement for potentially reduced agent presence and independent probes into these fatalities. As tensions flare, local protests persist in Minneapolis, placing additional scrutiny on federal intervention strategies as Trump's administration navigates these complex dynamics.