Key findings
- 57% of voters say the border is more secure now than under Biden, while only 20% say the opposite.
- Since Trump took office, 52% of voters say immigration enforcement has become more effective (31% much more, 21% somewhat more). Only 31% say it has become less effective.
- A combined 62% credit Trump with delivering on at least one of his two signature promises (38% both + 20% border + 4% crime).
- An overwhelming 86% of voters say they feel safer or about the same as they did two years ago (15% safer, 71% about the same).
- A majority of voters (51%) say the media does not fairly and accurately report on Trump’s successes on immigration, the border, and crime.
Executive summary
President Trump devoted some of the most powerful moments of his State of the Union to immigration enforcement and public safety and our data shows he is winning on both. A commanding 57% of voters say the border is more secure under Trump than it was under Biden. A majority says immigration enforcement has become more effective. And 86% of Americans say they feel as safe or safer in their communities as they did two years ago. But the most important finding in this memo may be what’s happening across the aisle. A majority of Democrats (51%) now rate the U.S.-Mexico border as somewhat or very secure. More than a quarter of Democrats (26%) say the border is more secure under Trump and 56% of Independents agree. The media narrative that Trump’s immigration policies are divisive is collapsing under the weight of the data. Voters across the political spectrum can see the results.
Trump’s Border Is Secure, Crime Is Down, and Even Democrats and Independents Know It
President Trump devoted some of the most powerful moments of his State of the Union to immigration enforcement and public safety and our data shows he is winning on both. A commanding 57% of voters say the border is more secure under Trump than it was under Biden. A majority says immigration enforcement has become more effective. And 86% of Americans say they feel as safe or safer in their communities as they did two years ago.
But the most important finding in this memo may be what’s happening across the aisle. A majority of Democrats (51%) now rate the U.S.-Mexico border as somewhat or very secure. More than a quarter of Democrats (26%) say the border is more secure under Trump and 56% of Independents agree. The media narrative that Trump’s immigration policies are divisive is collapsing under the weight of the data. Voters across the political spectrum can see the results.
The President laid the case out in vivid, human terms, telling the stories of families destroyed by illegal alien crime, demanding passage of the “Dalilah law” to bar states from granting commercial licenses to illegal immigrants, and calling for an end to deadly sanctuary cities. The polling shows the American public is with him.
The Border Is More Secure and Voters See It
The headline number on border security is devastating for Democrats: 57% of voters say the border is more secure now than under Biden, while only 20% say the opposite. That’s a nearly 3-to-1 margin in Trump’s favor.
The cross-partisan numbers are striking. 56% of Independents say the border is more secure under Trump, nearly identical to the national number. Even among Democrats, only 35% say Biden’s border was more secure, meaning a combined 65% of Democrats either credit Trump or aren’t sure.
When asked to rate current border security directly, 62% say the border is very or somewhat secure (25% very, 37% somewhat). Again, the bipartisan consensus is notable: 77% of Republicans, 51% of Democrats, and 57% of Independents rate the border as secure.
Enforcement Is Working By a 4-to-1 Margin Among Independents
Since Trump took office, 52% of voters say immigration enforcement has become more effective (31% much more, 21% somewhat more). Only 31% say it has become less effective.
Among Independents, 49% say enforcement is more effective versus just 32% who say less a net +17 margin. Among Democrats, 26% say enforcement is more effective, including 7% who say “much more.” This reflects observable changes at the border and in communities across the country.
Voters Credit Trump: 62% Say He Delivered on Border, Crime, or Both
When asked directly whether President Trump has delivered on his campaign promises to reduce crime and secure the border, a combined 62% credit Trump with delivering on at least one of his two signature promises (38% both + 20% border + 4% crime).
The Independent numbers tell the story of 2026: 52% of Independents say Trump has delivered on at least border security (30% both + 22% border only). Even 33% of Democrats concede Trump has delivered on at least the border (10% both + 23% border only). That’s one in three Democrats acknowledging Trump kept his promise. For a party that staked its identity on opposing Trump’s immigration agenda, this is a remarkable concession.
The Facts Are on Trump’s Side, and Voters Are Catching On
President Trump told the nation he is “deporting illegal alien criminals from our country at record numbers.” The data backs him up, and voters are noticing. According to FBI data, which respondents were told about in the survey, violent crime has fallen significantly and is near historic lows. 45% of voters were already aware of this.
An overwhelming 86% of voters say they feel safer or about the same as they did two years ago (15% safer, 71% about the same). Only 14% feel less safe. This is consistent across party lines: 91% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 89% of Independents report feeling the same or safer.
Among Republicans, 41% already believe crime rates are at or near historic lows or below average. Among Independents, that number is 27%, and it’s 23% among Democrats. As awareness of falling crime rates grows (currently only 45% are aware) these numbers will continue to improve.
The Media Is Losing: 51% Say Coverage of Trump on Immigration Is Unfair
A majority of voters (51%) say the media does not fairly and accurately report on Trump’s successes on immigration, the border, and crime. Only 31% say coverage is fair. Among Independents, 47% say coverage is unfair, nearly double the 26% who say it’s fair.
Even among Democrats, only 46% defend media coverage as fair, 32% say it’s unfair and 22% aren’t sure. That means a majority of Democrats cannot bring themselves to call immigration coverage fair and accurate. When more than half the electorate believes the press isn’t giving the President credit, there is a massive communications opportunity for Republicans.
President Trump’s SOTU put it bluntly: the previous administration “allowed the border invasion to happen” and their allies in Congress “would do it all over again if they ever had the chance.” The polling shows voters agree and they’re rewarding the President who fixed it.
This poll surveyed 1,008 registered voters via online panel from February 25–27, 2026. Results were weighted by 2024 vote, gender, age, race, and education to match population demographics. The margin of error is ±3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
