Donald Trump's Approval Rating on Key Issue Goes Underwater—Poll
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President Donald Trump was dealt a new blow to a key administrative pillar, as a poll released Friday by Emerson College showed his approval rating down regarding his handling of immigration.
Why It Matters
Immigration remains a cornerstone of Trump's presidency and a defining issue of his administration.
Trump campaigned on the promise of mass deportations and an expanded border infrastructure. His administration's actions, which include a marked increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and substantial emphasis on detention facilities, have underscored this focus.
When Trump returned to the White House in January, he arrived with high overall approval ratings. However, the president's numbers began to dip after months marked by economic strife and criticism over other policies, including his handling of immigration and his recently passed tax legislation, which he dubbed the "big, beautiful bill."
The up-and-down nature of approval rating polling can paint a picture of the landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections, where Democrats hope to regain control of the House and the Senate.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025.What To Know
In the Emerson College poll, the president received an approval rating of 45 percent on immigration versus a 46 percent disapproval rating. This is the first time the president's approval rating on the issue has been negative with the pollster during his second term in office.
The poll surveyed 1,400 U.S. voters from July 21 to July 22 with a margin of error of 2.5 percent.
In an April poll, the president had a 45 percent approval rating on the issue with a 44 percent disapproval rating. In March, the president had a 48 percent approval rating on the issue versus a 40 percent disapproval rating, the pollster says.
Earlier this month, Trump also hit a record low on the issue in another poll by CNN.
What People Are Saying
Political analyst Craig Agranoff previously told Newsweek about the president losing ground on the issue: "The decline underscores a notable erosion of support on what has long been one of his defining issues. This shift likely stems from increasing public discomfort with the administration's aggressive deportation policies and proposals for massive new detention centers, which polls show a majority of Americans oppose as going too far. It is indeed concerning, as sustained low approval here could weaken his leverage on other priorities and signal vulnerabilities for Republicans in future races."
Agranoff concluded, "Regarding whether Trump cares about this drop, his history suggests he tends to downplay polls that contradict his narrative, prioritizing the enthusiasm of his base over chasing broader consensus on immigration."
What Happens Next
Trump's deteriorating approval numbers on immigration could threaten one of his principal campaign pillars and could shape the political climate as attention turns to the 2026 midterm elections, analysts have said.
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