Judge Restricts ICE as Crises Strain Mental Health & School Lunches Shift

Poll Reveals Growing Concerns Over ICE Enforcement

A recent NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll indicated that a significant majority of Americans, 65%, believe that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has "gone too far" in its immigration enforcement efforts. The poll was released on February 5, 2026, amidst rising scrutiny of ICE's tactics.

The poll's findings came on the heels of two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in Minnesota allegedly at the hands of federal immigration agents, according to NPR. The increased scrutiny also follows a ruling by a federal judge in Oregon that limited ICE's ability to make warrantless arrests.

U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai issued a preliminary injunction in a proposed class-action lawsuit, mandating that ICE agents in Oregon must cease arresting individuals without warrants unless there is a risk of escape, according to the Associated Press. The lawsuit targeted the Department of Homeland Security's practice of arresting immigrants they happen to come across, the AP reported.

The debate over immigration enforcement has become increasingly polarized, with some advocating for abolishing ICE altogether. According to NPR, this strategy has divided Democrats.

These developments reflect a broader national conversation about the role and scope of ICE, and the balance between border security and civil liberties.