In a striking shift that runs counter to the political tone set by former President Donald Trump’s administration, a growing majority of Americans now hold a favorable view of immigration, even as aggressive enforcement policies continue to escalate. A new Gallup poll released July 11, 2025, reveals a dramatic swing in public opinion, with 79% of Americans now saying immigration is a good thing, marking the highest level ever recorded by the polling organization.
This change follows a notable decline in anti-immigration sentiment. In 2024, 55% of Americans believed immigration levels should decrease. That number has now dropped to just 30%, a reflection of a broader shift in national mood. The survey, conducted between June 2 and June 26 among 1,402 adults, also found that Republican attitudes have softened considerably: support for immigration among Republicans jumped from 39% last year to 64% today. Meanwhile, the percentage of Republicans who think immigration should decrease has fallen sharply from 88% to 48%.
The surge in public approval comes at a time when Trump’s administration is doubling down on immigration enforcement. In June, federal agents conducted sweeping deportation raids across the country—targeting workplaces such as restaurants, farms, and hardware stores—with agents often masked and heavily armed. These actions sparked nationwide protests and condemnation from immigrant rights groups.
One of the most controversial moves involved the unveiling of a new detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” built deep in the Florida Everglades. Critics have called it an inhumane and isolating environment meant to intimidate migrants and suppress public scrutiny. Several federal judges have since intervened, placing legal barriers on the use of certain enforcement tactics and questioning the facility’s compliance with U.S. law.
Legal troubles for the administration are also mounting. In March, hundreds of men—many Venezuelan—were mistakenly deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador. The move drew backlash for violating due process and humanitarian standards. Among those deported was Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident whom a judge had previously ruled could remain in the United States. Following public and legal outcry, the administration was compelled to reverse the deportation and return him to the country.
Despite the ongoing enforcement actions, Trump’s handling of immigration remains unpopular with a majority of Americans. According to the same Gallup poll, only 35% approve of his approach to the issue. Analysts believe the widening gap between Trump’s policies and public opinion may signal trouble for Republicans heading into the 2026 election cycle.
Experts suggest that the shift in attitudes may reflect a growing awareness of the economic and social contributions made by immigrants, as well as fatigue with the combative and punitive tone of enforcement. The backlash against high-profile raids, detention centers, and deportation missteps may have humanized the immigration debate for many Americans.
As immigration continues to take center stage in U.S. politics, the data signals a clear challenge: enforcement-heavy policies may no longer resonate with a public increasingly open to a more compassionate and pragmatic approach. With the national mood changing, future immigration strategies—regardless of party—will likely need to evolve.
