• Trump's approval rating on immigration has dropped to 45%, reflecting a decline in support.
• Public opinion shows strong backing for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a wrongly deported immigrant.
• Recent polls reveal a significant partisan divide, with Republicans largely supporting Trump's policies.

President Trump’s approval rating on immigration has declined significantly, with recent polls indicating that only 45 percent of Americans approve of his policies in this area, marking a 5 percentage point drop since earlier in the month. This decline coincides with controversial decisions made by his administration, particularly regarding the deportation of individuals such as Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant wrongfully sent back to El Salvador amid accusations of gang affiliation. A recent survey from The Economist/YouGov noted that Trump's approval on immigration is now juxtaposed with a 50 percent disapproval rating, highlighting a negative shift in public sentiment since the beginning of his second term as president, according to The Hill, Newsweek, and ABC News.

A striking aspect of the public response is the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported despite a court ruling against such action. The same Economist/YouGov poll revealed that 50 percent of Americans believe Trump should facilitate his return. This perspective is bolstered by growing scrutiny of the administration's immigration policies, particularly among Democrats and independents, who show higher support for Abrego Garcia's readmission compared to their Republican counterparts. Around 74 percent of Democrats favor bringing him back, while only 14 percent of Republican respondents support the same, as noted by The Hill and The Hill.

Opinions about Trump's handling of immigration are divided along partisan lines. While around 90 percent of Democrats disapprove of his actions, approximately 56 percent of independents express similar sentiments. Notably, Trump's core supporters, including a significant number of Republicans, continue to back his strategies. In a broader context, while discussing motivations for deportations, only about 48 percent of respondents feel Trump has gone too far, indicating that the narrative surrounding immigration remains complex and contentious, according to The Hill, The Hill, ABC News, and Newsweek.

The implications of these shifting approval ratings for Trump's political capital are noteworthy, especially in light of upcoming elections. Polling data suggests that continuing to focus on immigration could harm Republican prospects in the 2026 midterms if public approval continues to falter. Analysts are closely watching how the administration's response to cases like Abrego Garcia's will influence broader immigration policy discussions and Trump's overall approval ratings moving forward, according to ABC News and Newsweek.