CAMBRIDGE, September 13 — A new Harvard/Harris poll paints a mixed picture on immigration for President Donald Trump, with a growing share of voters — mostly Republicans — saying the issue matters to them personally, even as impressions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement remain negative. The survey, conducted for the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University by The Harris Poll and Harris X, sampled 2,100 registered voters between August 28 and 30, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 points.
Trump’s overall approval rating stood at 44 percent, with 24 percent strongly approving, against 52 percent who disapproved, including 39 percent who strongly disapproved. That is a two-point increase in approval from July, when it was 42 percent, and a two-point decrease in disapproval from 54 percent.
It is his highest approval rating in a Harvard/Harris poll since February, when it was 46 percent. His personal favorability, however, remains underwater at minus 8 points — 42 percent favorable and 50 percent unfavorable — tying him with Elon Musk and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Only two U.S. political figures in the survey were viewed favorably on net.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., stood at 43 percent favorable and 39 percent unfavorable, for a net of plus 4.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was at 38 percent favorable and 34 percent unfavorable, also plus 4. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sat at minus 17 points, and Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed at minus 18 points. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was viewed favorably by 27 percent and unfavorably by 26 percent, a net of plus 1.
Immigration and the Enforcement Question
On immigration enforcement, ICE was eight points underwater — 47 percent unfavorable and 39 percent favorable — though that marks a three-point improvement from July and an eight-point gain from January, when the agency sat at minus 16 points. The Department of Homeland Security posted a plus 13-point favorability rating, at 47 percent favorable and 34 percent unfavorable.
The poll indicates immigration remains one of Trump’s strongest issues even as he is underwater on it, and Republicans are expected to highlight the issue during the midterm elections, which are less than two months away.
Foreign Nations and Economic Systems
On national favorability, Canada was viewed favorably by 58 percent and unfavorably by 24 percent; the United States was viewed favorably by 75 percent and unfavorably by 17 percent. Ukraine had a net favorability of plus 15 points, Israel plus 2 points, and the European Union plus 10 points. Unfavorable nations included Saudi Arabia at minus 15 points, China at minus 32 points, the Palestinian Authority at minus 30 points, Russia at minus 49 points, and Iran at minus 54 points.
On economic systems, free enterprise had a plus 35-point favorable rating, capitalism was plus 15 points, and socialism was minus 21 points, with only free enterprise receiving majority support at 51 percent favorable. What to watch next: whether the immigration numbers hold through the fall campaign, and whether the modest recovery in ICE’s standing continues as Republicans press the issue into November.
