HOUSTON — A new University of Houston survey shows broad disapproval of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) among residents in the greater Houston area, along with majority support for eliminating the agency.
The survey, conducted by the university’s Hobby School of Public Affairs and released this week, found that 69.9% of respondents disapprove of ICE’s handling of its duties, while 53.9% said they support eliminating the agency entirely. Researchers surveyed more than 1,500 people in April, with a margin of error of 3.53%.
The findings also show that 23.5% of respondents said they or someone they know has encountered ICE in their neighborhood.
Regional results
Disapproval of ICE varied across the Houston region:
- City of Houston: 78.8% disapproval
- Fort Bend County: 80.1% disapproval
- Harris County: 64.3% disapproval
- Montgomery County: 52.7% disapproval
Montgomery County recorded the lowest level of disapproval, though a majority of residents there still expressed negative views.
Cooperation with local law enforcement
The survey also found opposition to local agencies working with ICE:
- 74.9% in Houston opposed cooperation between local police and ICE
- 55.8% in Harris and Fort Bend counties opposed cooperation
- 36.9% in Montgomery County opposed cooperation
Across the region, a majority of respondents opposed local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Demographic breakdown
Responses varied by race and political affiliation:
- Black respondents: 78.3% disapproval
- Hispanic respondents: 77% disapproval
- White respondents: 58% disapproval
By political identity:
- 90.1% of Democrats disapproved of ICE
- 76.5% of independents disapproved
- About one-third of Republicans disapproved
The survey authors said the results reflect “broad disapproval” of ICE across the region, though opinions differ significantly by demographic group.