Since the 1990s, ICE and Border Patrol officers were constrained by administrations from entering certain “safe zone” settings. The guidelines applied to healthcare settings, schools, places of worship and even public demonstrations. (The guidelines did not formally bar entrance.) On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration removed these constraints. What does the public think about this?

A survey conducted by Hart Research, conducted among 802 registered voters in early July and released August 7, finds that a modest majority of voting Americans disapprove of immigration enforcement in some of these settings.  The fact that a sizable minority supports the Administration is sobering. It suggests that public opinion will not, at least for now, be a deterrent to ICE entering safe zones (except for perhaps houses of worship). A well publicized arrest in one of these settings may set off a public outcry — or may not.

Regarding entering healthcare settings, 56% of voters oppose the Trump administration policy, 38% approve. Opposition is predictably strongest among Democrats (78% disapprove). But opposition is weaker among Hispanic (63% disapprove)

The respondents also disapprove of ICE action in schools (60% to 33%) and houses of worship (67% to 27%).  By comparison, a majority accepts enforcement in workplaces (51%) and in immigrants’ homes (60%).

Notably, Republicans support ICE access to safe zones. Republican voters back enforcement in healthcare facilities (67% v 26%).  Hart Research conducted the survey for the National Immigration Law Center, which did not disclose findings by  segments of voters (such as party affiliation) for non-healthcare settings.

Strikingly, the survey reported that 68% believe that undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay if they meet certain requirements, Only 29% now say immigrants should not be allowed to remain. Hart Research says that support for undocumented persons has increased – which I discussed recently here regarding a Gallup poll done in June.