Punchbowl News reported on a poll from America One Policies PAC, linked to Sen. Tom Cotton, finding a substantial share of Americans want ICE to "tone down" confrontational tactics while still supporting deportations in many cases. The survey found 41% want ICE to avoid unnecessary harm during detainments, with 88% of Republicans and independents agreeing. The poll also showed strong support for deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records (78%), and notable backing for deportations of recent arrivals (56%) and a general deportation policy (52%). Details on the poll’s field dates and sample size were not disclosed.
Poll Tied to Sen. Tom Cotton Finds Many Voters Want ICE to ‘Tone Down’ Tactics — But Back Deportations
Cotton PAC polling says voters want ICE to ‘tone down’
A new poll from America One Policies PAC, a group linked to Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), suggests a notable portion of Americans want Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reduce confrontational tactics during detainments while still supporting deportations in many cases, Punchbowl News reported.
Key Findings
The survey found that 41% of respondents do not want immigration enforcement or deportations to stop, but do want ICE to "avoid unnecessary harm and confrontation" during detainments. The poll summary reported that 88% of Republicans and independents agreed with that position.
By comparison, 24% of respondents said they believe "ICE’s aggressive tactics are necessary," arguing that "illegal immigration is a serious problem and we need tough enforcement to remove people who are here illegally."
The poll also measured support for deportation policies in specific situations: 78% favored deporting undocumented immigrants who have criminal records; 56% supported deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally who arrived within the past four years; and 52% said they would back a mass deportation of all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, according to Punchbowl.
Sen. Cotton’s Response
"I don't think we should pull back on any kind of enforcement at all," Sen. Cotton told CBS News's Margaret Brennan on Face The Nation in June, responding to a Trump administration pause on ICE raids in some industries. He added that "worksite enforcement in all industries needs to be able to move forward," and that "ICE agents on the front lines need the support of political leadership."
Context And Caveats
The Hill and Punchbowl News noted that it was unclear when the poll was conducted and how many people were interviewed; The Hill also said it reached out to America One Policies PAC and to Sen. Cotton's office for comment. Those details — sample size, field dates and methodology — are important for assessing the representativeness of the findings.
The poll highlights a nuanced public attitude: many voters favor maintaining immigration enforcement in principle, but a sizable share wants ICE to limit confrontational or harmful practices during detentions.
Help us improve.
