Trump Hits Record Low Approval Rating on Immigration for Second Term: Poll

President Donald Trump has hit a new record low approval rating on immigration amid his second term, a new poll by CNN shows.

Newsweek spoke to two experts about the decline.

Why It Matters

Immigration remains a cornerstone of Trump’s second term in the White House and a defining issue of his administration.

President Trump campaigned forcefully on the promise of mass deportations and expanded border infrastructure. The administration’s actions, which include a marked increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and substantial emphasis in detention facilities, have underscored this focus.

When Trump returned to the White House in January, he coasted in with high approval figures. But the president saw his numbers dip after months marked by economic strife and criticism over other policies like the president’s handling of immigration and his recently passed tax bill.

The up-and-down nature of approval polls can paint a picture of the landscape heading into the 2026 elections, where Democrats hope to regain control of the House and the Senate.

What To Know

In the Sunday poll from CNN conducted by SSRS, the president has a 42 percent approval rating on immigration and a 58 percent disapproval rating. The survey was taken from July 10 to July 13 among 1,057 U.S. adults with a margin of error of 3.5 percent.

In a survey taken from April 17 to April 24, the president had a 45 percent approval rating with a 54 percent disapproval rating on immigration. In a March poll, the president had a 51 percent approval rating on the issue in a poll by CNN and SSRS, with a 48 percent disapproval rating.

The survey also shows that 55 percent of U.S. adults believe the president has gone too far in deporting immigrants living in the country illegally. This is an uptick from an April poll showing 52 percent believed he had gone too far and 45 percent in a February poll.

A recent poll by CBS News/YouGov over the weekend also shows the president losing ground on immigration.

What People Are Saying

Political analyst Craig Agranoff to Newsweek via text message Monday: “The decline underscores a notable erosion of support on what has long been one of his defining issues. This shift likely stems from increasing public discomfort with the administration’s aggressive deportation policies and proposals for massive new detention centers, which polls show a majority of Americans oppose as going too far. It is indeed concerning, as sustained low approval here could weaken his leverage on other priorities and signal vulnerabilities for Republicans in future races.”

Agranoff concluded, “Regarding whether Trump cares about this drop, his history suggests he tends to downplay polls that contradict his narrative, prioritizing the enthusiasm of his base over chasing broader consensus on immigration.”

Robert Y. Shapiro, political science professor at Columbia University, to Newsweek via email Monday: “It has to do with the raid everywhere in which ICE agents are picking up law abiding immigrants and not just those who are dangerous and wanted for violent crimes, or have had previous arrests and convictions. They have picked up people who have been in the US for years, who have worked, and led peaceful family lives, and who are known and liked in their communities, and whom others in their community do not think should be deported. Trump’s support fell off because he has gone too far beyond what even his supporters have wanted — to secure the southern border and deport the bad guys.”

Trump on Truth Social on Monday: “One of the Great Success Stories in the History of Borders, and I’m including Borders from anywhere in the World. Congratulations to Kristi Noem, Tom Homan, Rodney Scott, Pam Bondi, and Pete Hegseth, but a special CONGRATULATIONS to Border Patrol and ICE. These are all absolutely amazing people!”

What Happens Next

As the administration advances its agenda, immigration will likely remain a divisive issue, shaping both the domestic political landscape and the broader debate on America’s identity and values.

Further polling and legal developments are expected in the months ahead as public scrutiny and advocacy responses evolve.