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According to the survey, 52 percent of Granite Staters say ICE’s actions have made the United States either “much” or “somewhat” less safe, while 41 percent believe the agency has made the country safer. Five percent say ICE has made little or no difference.
Partisan divisions are stark. Nearly all Democrats (96 percent) and 60 percent of Independents say ICE has made the country less safe. By contrast, 88 percent of Republicans say the agency’s actions have made the country safer.
Trust in Federal Investigation Low
The poll also measured public confidence in the federal government’s ability to investigate recent fatal ICE-related shootings in Minnesota. Only 32 percent of respondents say they trust the federal government to conduct a thorough investigation, while 60 percent say they distrust it.
Democrats (98%) and Independents (72 percent) overwhelmingly express distrust. Among Republicans, 72% say they trust the federal government to handle the investigation.
Majority Support Impeaching Kristi Noem
A slim majority of Granite Staters — 52 percent — support impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, including 47 percent who strongly support impeachment. About one-third oppose the move, and 7 percent are neutral.
Support for impeachment is strongest among Democrats (96 percent), while 72 percent of Republicans oppose removing Noem from office. Independents are more divided, with 47 percent supporting impeachment.
Illegal Immigration Still Seen as Serious Problem
Despite dissatisfaction with ICE, 65 percent of New Hampshire residents say illegal immigration is a very or somewhat serious problem nationwide. However, fewer see it as a pressing issue closer to home — 41 percent call it serious in New Hampshire, and just 24 percent say it is serious in their own town or city.
The perception of illegal immigration as a serious national problem has declined compared to 2023 and 2024, particularly among Independents and Democrats. Nearly all Republicans (97 percent) continue to view it as serious.
Divided On Abolishing ICE, Broad Support for Reforms
While 49 percent of residents support abolishing ICE, 45 percent oppose doing so, reflecting a closely divided electorate. Support is highest among Democrats (81 percent), while 82 percent of Republicans oppose abolishing the agency. Independents are nearly split.
However, majorities favor specific reforms. Nearly two-thirds support prohibiting ICE from entering churches and schools. Sixty-two percent support requiring ICE to obtain a judicial warrant before making arrests, and 56 percent back banning agents from covering their faces during operations.
Trump Approval Unchanged on Immigration
Approval of Trump’s handling of immigration remains largely unchanged from early 2024. Fifty-four percent disapprove, while 45 percent approve. Overall job approval stands at 43 percent, with 57 percent disapproving.
Among Republicans, 94 percent approve of Trump’s job performance, compared to 29 percent of Independents and just 1 percent of Democrats. Supporters most frequently cite his handling of immigration as the reason for approval, while critics often point to concerns about democracy, immigration policies, character, and conduct.
Immigration Attitudes Broader Than ICE
The poll also found that two-thirds of Granite Staters agree American identity is based more on shared beliefs than ethnicity or ancestry. A majority (58 percent) say people accused of being in the country illegally are entitled to due process rights.
On immigration policy, 43 percent say it should be easier for foreigners to immigrate to the United States, 32 percent say it should be harder, and 22 percent prefer keeping it the same. Views on asylum policy follow a similar pattern.
About the Poll
The Granite State Poll was conducted online between Feb. 12 and Feb. 16 among 1,702 New Hampshire residents. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.4 percentage points. The Granite State Panel is a probability-based web panel of New Hampshire adults, with responses weighted to reflect state demographics, party registration, and 2024 election results.