Trump immigration approval falls to 39%, NORC poll says

Public approval of President Donald Trump’s handling of immigration has dropped to 39%, according to a new poll from the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released Sunday. The figure is down from 49% at the start of his second term, the poll indicates.

Even with that decline, the survey suggests immigration remains a comparatively durable issue for the president among his political base when set against other priorities, including his management of the economy and the ongoing conflict with Iran. The poll’s topline numbers point to a sharper erosion in support on economic stewardship than on immigration.

Public concerns center on deportations and legal pathways

The poll shows roughly half of U.S. adults believe the administration has gone beyond its authority on deportations and on limits affecting legal immigration. That assessment reflects not only overall approval ratings, but also public judgment about the boundaries of federal power and the methods used to enforce immigration policy.

Opposition appears especially strong on particular enforcement approaches referenced in the poll. A majority of Americans described as overreaching the use of traffic stops to identify undocumented people, as well as the deployment of federal agents into U.S. cities.

Partisan split remains wide on immigration and the economy While the broader public expresses substantial disapproval, Republican support has held steadier. The poll reports that roughly 8 in 10 Republicans continue to approve of the president’s immigration strategy, underscoring a sustained partisan divide on the issue.

The same pattern is not as strong for economic management, where the poll places overall approval at 32%. Among Republicans, approval on the economy is lower than for immigration, with 69% saying they approve, according to the survey.

Politics shifts toward midterms amid competing voter priorities

The findings arrive as attention turns toward the upcoming midterm elections. The poll’s results come as healthcare and economic concerns are expected to remain central to political debate, even as immigration continues to be a major point of contention.

At the same time, the poll indicates that public reaction is not only about outcomes but also about perceived process, particularly whether enforcement and restrictions are viewed as within legal and institutional limits. That dynamic helps explain how immigration can remain more resilient within the president’s coalition even as overall approval declines.