Immigration remains Trump's strongest issue among Americans, according to a new AP-NORC poll, outpacing his ratings on the economy and Iran - even after three people were killed in encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in July.
Overall approval of Trump's immigration performance stands at 39%, down from 49% at the start of his second term. However, roughly 8 in 10 Republicans continue to approve of his immigration approach, a slight decline from approximately 9 in 10 early in his tenure, though support within the party has remained mostly stable since last summer.
Republicans rate Trump's immigration handling higher than his performance on the economy or Iran. GOP approval of his Iran policy has edged down in recent polling.
About half of U.S. Adults say Trump has "gone too far" On deporting immigrants living in the country illegally - a figure that has held steady for over a year, despite multiple enforcement operations and at least 10 deaths involving immigration officers. Republicans are far less likely to believe Trump has overstepped.
On restrictions of legal immigration, roughly half of Americans say Trump has exceeded his authority, compared with about 3 in 10 who say his actions are "about right" And closer to 2 in 10 who say he hasn't gone far enough. Fewer than 2 in 10 Republicans say he's gone too far on either front.
Most Americans believe Trump has overstepped in using traffic stops to apprehend undocumented immigrants and in deploying federal immigration agents to U.S. Cities. Republicans view these actions more favorably.
"You cannot come in here illegally, you're breaking the law," Said James Leatherman, a 68-year-old Republican from San Antonio who supports Trump's immigration stance.
About half of Americans disapprove of ICE's enforcement approach, while roughly 3 in 10 approve. Roughly 6 in 10 Republicans approve, compared with about 2 in 10 independents and 4% of Democrats.
Eric Coursen, 76, an independent from Chincoteague, Virginia, agrees problems exist in the immigration system but opposes the administration's enforcement methods. "It's like taking some bread when you're hungry and you take it, you're going to shoot that person rather than just, you know, get them for theft? It's just overkill."
Trump's approval on the economy stands at 32%, down from 40% when his second term began and substantially lower than his lowest rating during his first term.
Roughly 7 in 10 Republicans - 69%-approve of his economic handling, slightly below the 78% early in his second term. About 7 in 10 Americans describe the economy as performing poorly, while roughly 6 in 10 Republicans rate it positively.
Leatherman acknowledged feeling financial strain despite backing Trump. "I almost have to go to the bank to get a loan before I go grocery shopping," He said.
On healthcare, only about 3 in 10 Americans approve of Trump's performance, continuing a pattern from both his terms. However, roughly 71% of Republicans now approve, up from 59% in December. Democrats and independents overwhelmingly disapprove.