t actions in several cities including Minneapolis. In Minnesota, the politically competitive Upper Midwest state that Trump narrowly lost in the 2024 election, local surveys and observers point to significant dissatisfaction with federal immigration tactics. A recent Survey USA poll indicated that 56% of Minnesota residents disapproved of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is enforcing immigration laws in the state, compared with 41% who approved. The same survey found a similar split on Trump’s overall immigration handling. The backlash has been amplified by protests and political clashes following deployment of thousands of federal agents to Minnesota under the administration’s Operation Metro Surge . The crackdown sparked national attention after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by agents during enforcement operations in Minneapolis, prompting criticism from civil rights groups, local officials and some lawmakers. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz , a Democrat said on Tuesday he expects the federal immigration crackdown to end within days after discussions with Trump administration officials including border czar Tom Homan and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles . The state’s polling reflects a broader national trend of declining confidence in immigration enforcement. Separate national surveys have shown that a majority of Americans now think ICE has overstepped in its actions and some call for major reforms to the agency. Republicans are not unified on the issue. Internal divisions have surfaced in party ranks over the pace and tactics of the crackdown, complicating GOP messaging ahead of midterm contests. Trump’s immigration policy has long been a central element of his political identity, but the recent polling data suggest it may be becoming a liability in key battleground states such as Minnesota. Source: Reuters