Half of Americans Say ICE Is Making U.S. Cities Less Safe, New National Poll Shows

A growing number of Americans believe U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is making cities less safe, not more—a striking shift in public opinion that highlights deepening concerns about the agency’s role in local communities.

According to a recent national survey conducted by CNN, roughly half of U.S. adults now say ICE enforcement practices are contributing to decreased safety in American cities. The findings underscore a widening gap between federal immigration policy and how residents experience public safety on the ground.

Public Safety vs. Immigration Enforcement

For years, federal officials have argued that aggressive immigration enforcement deters crime and enhances security. But many Americans appear unconvinced. Critics say ICE operations—particularly raids, courthouse arrests, and collaboration with local law enforcement—can erode trust, making communities less willing to report crimes or cooperate with police.

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Community advocates and local officials have long warned that fear of detention or deportation can push immigrant residents into the shadows. When witnesses avoid contacting authorities or victims hesitate to seek help, violent and nonviolent crimes alike can go unreported, weakening overall public safety.

Urban Communities Feel the Impact Most

The CNN poll suggests that skepticism toward ICE is especially pronounced in major metropolitan areas, where immigrant populations are larger and enforcement actions are more visible. In these cities, residents often describe a chilling effect on daily life—parents avoiding schools, workers skipping medical care, and neighborhoods becoming more isolated.

Mayors and city councils in several regions have responded by reaffirming or expanding so-called “sanctuary” policies, which limit cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration authorities. Supporters argue these policies allow police to focus on crime prevention rather than immigration status.

Political Divide, Shared Anxiety

While views on ICE remain sharply divided along partisan lines, the poll indicates a notable rise in concern among independents and some moderate voters. This shift suggests that doubts about ICE are no longer confined to activist circles but are entering the mainstream public conversation.

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Even among those who support stricter border controls, there is growing unease about enforcement tactics inside U.S. cities—particularly when they affect long-settled families or individuals with no criminal history.

What This Means Going Forward

Public perception plays a critical role in shaping policy. As more Americans question whether ICE is enhancing or harming safety, pressure is likely to increase on lawmakers to revisit enforcement strategies, oversight mechanisms, and the balance between immigration control and community trust.

With immigration set to remain a central issue in upcoming elections, the message from the public is becoming harder to ignore: for many Americans, safety is not just about enforcement—it’s about trust, stability, and the ability of all residents to live without fear.