Poll Shows Majority of Americans View ICE Shooting as Inappropriate Use of Force
A recent national poll has found that most Americans consider the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis to be an inappropriate use of force. The survey results highlight growing public concern over immigration enforcement practices across the United States.
Poll Details and Key Findings
According to a CNN poll released on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, approximately 56% of American adults said the ICE agent's actions in the Minneapolis shooting were unjustified. Only 26% of respondents viewed the shooting as appropriate, while the remaining participants expressed uncertainty or declined to answer.
The survey included 1,209 adults and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 1.3 percentage points. This statistical reliability makes the findings particularly significant in understanding public sentiment.
Broader Concerns About ICE Operations
The poll also revealed broader skepticism about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations nationwide. About 51% of respondents said ICE enforcement actions are actually making American cities less safe. This contrasts sharply with the 31% who believe ICE operations improve urban safety.
Only 18% of those surveyed felt that ICE's impact on city safety has been minimal or negligible. More than half of Americans - 51% specifically - see the Minneapolis shooting as reflecting larger systemic problems within ICE rather than an isolated incident.
Sharp Partisan Divide in Responses
The poll results show a dramatic split along political party lines. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents overwhelmingly condemned the shooting and questioned ICE's role in urban safety. More than eight in ten people within this group called the shooting inappropriate and said it reflected broader institutional problems.
Among Republican-aligned adults, the perspective differed significantly. 56% of Republicans viewed the shooting as appropriate, and 67% said ICE operations generally make cities safer. This represents a stark contrast with Democratic viewpoints.
Independent voters who do not lean toward either party mostly sided with Democrats in their concerns. These unaffiliated voters expressed worries about both the specific shooting incident and ICE enforcement practices more broadly.
Political Response and Context
The shooting occurred on January 7, 2026, when a U.S. immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis. The incident has sparked national debate about immigration enforcement methods and accountability.
On January 14, 2026, U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS) led a group of House Democrats in a moment of silence during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol. The lawmakers were responding to the fatal shooting and discussing potential legislative actions.
The poll results arrive amid ongoing discussions about immigration policy reform and law enforcement practices. They suggest that public opinion may be shifting regarding how immigration enforcement should be conducted in American communities.
These findings come from a nationally representative sample of American adults. The survey methodology ensures that the results reflect broader population trends rather than isolated opinions.
