New Poll Shows Majority of Michiganders Support Statewide Legislation that Reins in ICE and Protects Communities from Federal Immigration Enforcement

Michiganders support state legislation that prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks, entering schools and other sensitive locations, and provides other protections.

February 19, 2026 11:00 am

DETROIT – The majority of Michiganders view U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) negatively and strongly favor state legislation that would rein in ICE and other federal law enforcement, according to a new poll released today by the ACLU of Michigan and the American Civil Liberties Union. The poll, which was conducted by YouGov on behalf of the ACLU of Michigan and ACLU, was fielded between January 28 and February 3, 2026, among 833 registered voters in Michigan. The new poll shows that Michigan voters are paying close attention to the actions of ICE and other federal agents in Minnesota, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and believe ICE has been too aggressive, making communities less safe.

Michiganders strongly favor legislation that limits ICE access in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive areas, restricts data sharing between local government agencies and ICE, and bans face coverings and requires uniforms for all law enforcement.

Specific key findings include:

  • Michigan voters are paying close attention to the actions of ICE and other federal agents in Minnesota and the ensuing protests – even more than other issues. Over six in 10 Michiganders have heard “a great deal” about the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti (66% and 63%, respectively), and the continued protests in Minnesota (67% statewide).
  • More than half (53%) of Michiganders statewide hold an unfavorable opinion of ICE, almost six in 10 (59%) think ICE has been too aggressive, and half (49%) think ICE’s actions are making cities less safe nationwide.
  • Michiganders want their state elected officials to rein in ICE, and to support legislative protections for their communities and neighbors. Half of Michiganders statewide (53%) want their elected officials to stand up to the Trump administration and oppose its agenda. Six in 10 (61%) want their state elected officials to take action to protect Michiganders from federal immigration activity.

“The results of this poll show what we already know – Michiganders are fed up with the inhumane and destructive actions of ICE and other immigration enforcement,” said Merissa Kovach, political director for the ACLU of Michigan. “The world is watching what is happening in Minnesota as masked, armed agents feel emboldened to violently rip families apart, attack protesters, and even take the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Michiganders are ready for our elected officials to act: at least two-thirds of Michigan voters support bills in our state legislature to rein in how ICE operates here. We are proud to support the goals of a Michigan Senate bill package that will do just that – and protect all Michigan families.”

The majority of Michigan voters statewide support the bill package (Senate Bills 508, 509, and 510), which aims to:

  • SB 510 (65% support) prohibits ALL on-duty law enforcement officers from wearing a face covering that conceals or obscures their identity while interacting with the public, absent a handful of exceptions. Also requires officers to wear their uniform, which must show either their name or badge number.
  • SB 508 (70% support) designates certain places including spaces funded by state and local tax dollars, as immigration-enforcement free zones, unless accompanied by a valid judicial warrant.
  • SB 509 (65% support) protects Michiganders’ private information from being shared solely for the purposes of immigration enforcement without a judge signing off - because it has never been more critical to maintain our fundamental right to privacy.

Read the full memo on the poll results below.