Montana Based Pollster Highlights American Support for ICE

A new poll shows the American people back ICE and efforts to enforce immigration laws. Voters also say protesters should not block, harass, or interfere with ICE agents. This, according to a new poll released by Erik Iverson with Peak Insights.

Iverson is a prominent political pollster who is based in Montana, and has offices across the country.

Click here for the full poll: attachment-ip-memo-usa-voters-immigration-jan-2026

Here's the highlights:

•  Voters believe illegal immigration is a serious problem and strongly back ICE actions to enforce immigration laws. More than 7-in-10 voters (71%) nationwide believe illegal immigration is a “serious” problem with 40% saying it is “very” serious. Accordingly, 62% of voters want ICE to fight illegal immigration, crack down on illegal border crossings and increase deportations. This view is shared by 91% of Republicans and 55% of Independents.
• Voters overwhelmingly support core ICE functions. When asked if they support or oppose “major functions and responsibilities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE” voters voice strong support for core ICE functions. There is majority support among Republicans and Independents for all four of these core ICE functions. Notably, there is even majority support among Democrats for two out of four of these core functions (investigating and dismantling cartels/human trafficking operations and arresting individuals who have been court ordered to leave the U.S.).
• Voters back ICE agents and want them to prioritize deporting criminal illegal immigrants. When given a series of statements and asked if they agree or disagree, fully 84% say ICE’s priority should be deporting violent, criminal illegals. This view finds wide majority agreement across party lines among Republicans, Democrats and Independents. And a strong 58% majority believes ICE agents are “brave law enforcement officers” who have a “difficult and dangerous job enforcing America’s immigration laws” and keeping us safe.
• Voters say protesters should not block, harass, or interfere with ICE agents. While the actions of protestors in Minneapolis have commanded near wall-to-wall media coverage, voters are clear they do not support interfering with ICE agents who are enforcing America’s immigration laws.

By the way, according to an online non-scientific poll from NBC Montana, respondents believe state and local officials who obstruct ICE face imprisonment. See below.