AP-NORC Poll: Immigration Remains Trump's Strongest Issue with Republicans
AP-NORC poll shows 80% of Republicans approve of Trump's immigration handling, while overall U.S. approval stands at 39%. The findings highlight deep partisan divides and concerns about enforcement tactics amid a chaotic year of immigration enforcement actions.
What happened
A new AP-NORC poll reveals that immigration remains President Donald Trump's strongest issue among Republicans, with about 8 in 10 Republicans approving of his handling of the matter. The findings follow a chaotic year of enforcement actions, including encounters resulting in at least 10 deaths and two recent shootings in Maine involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to the poll data, most Americans say Trump has "gone too far" regarding specific enforcement tactics, including using traffic stops to find undocumented immigrants and deploying federal agents into cities. The wide partisan split persists on immigration approval ratings, with about 6 in 10 Republicans approving of the agency's approach compared to just 4% of Democrats.
The poll was conducted by AP-NORC and released through multiple news outlets including Ground News, Globe and Mail, and India Today, as reported in coverage across 27 news sources. The article was published approximately 4 hours ago as of Sunday, August 2, 2026, and updated about 1 hour ago according to the source materials.
Why it matters
The poll findings highlight a significant divergence between Republican and Democratic views on immigration policy under the current administration. While Republicans overwhelmingly approve of Trump's immigration handling at 80%, the overall U.S. adult approval stands at just 39%. This partisan gap underscores the deeply polarized nature of immigration debates in American politics.
The enforcement tactics have drawn particular scrutiny, with concerns raised about the scope and methods used by ICE agents. The deaths from enforcement encounters and the shootings in Maine represent serious incidents that have contributed to ongoing discussions about the balance between immigration enforcement and public safety.
The economic comparison is also notable: while 80% of Republicans approve of Trump's immigration handling, only 32% of adults overall approve of his economic handling. This suggests that immigration remains a distinct priority for Republican voters compared to other policy areas.
What to watch
The poll results come amid ongoing debates about the appropriate scope of federal immigration enforcement powers. The fact that 47% of Americans believe Trump has exceeded his authority indicates significant concern about the boundaries of executive power in immigration matters.
Healthcare handling approval among Republicans stands at roughly 71%, compared to 80% for immigration, suggesting immigration remains the top priority for Republican voters on domestic policy issues. The Democratic approval of the agency's immigration approach at just 4% versus 60% among Republicans further illustrates the partisan divide.
The coverage across 27 news sources indicates significant media attention to these findings, with 11 sources leaning Left, 11 center, and 4 right-leaning outlets covering the story. This broad coverage suggests the poll results have generated substantial interest across the political spectrum.
By the numbers
Source snapshot
