{"id":285805,"date":"2026-01-29T13:55:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T18:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=285805"},"modified":"2026-01-29T13:59:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T18:59:42","slug":"how-americans-see-immigration-officers-behaviors-and-civilian-actions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2026\/01\/29\/how-americans-see-immigration-officers-behaviors-and-civilian-actions\/","title":{"rendered":"How Americans See Immigration Officers\u2019 Behaviors and Civilian Actions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Bystanders watch as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain people at a residence in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 13, 2026. (Stephen Maturen\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
About this research <\/summary>\n

This Pew Research Center analysis is part of a broader project that examines Americans\u2019 views of immigration policy, immigration officers\u2019 actions and the public\u2019s response to immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center conducts research to help the public, media and decision-makers understand important topics. We have studied Americans\u2019 views of politics and major policy issues, including immigration<\/a>, for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more<\/a> about Pew Research Center.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 8,512 U.S. adults from Jan. 20 to 26, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the survey questions<\/a> used for this analysis, the detailed responses<\/a> and the survey methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Amid ramped-up immigration enforcement efforts around the country, Americans overwhelmingly say it is acceptable for ordinary people to record video of immigration arrests. A clear majority also say it\u2019s acceptable for people to share information about where enforcement is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chart<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And by wide margins, the public says it\u2019s not<\/em> acceptable for federal immigration officers to wear face coverings that hide their identities, or to use people\u2019s appearance or language use as a reason for checking their immigration status. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new Pew Research Center survey of 8,512 U.S. adults conducted Jan. 20-26 finds that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n