The recent Thinking Minnesota Poll produced some surprising results as Minnesotans weighed in on immigration policy, ICE operations and attitudes about protests and protesting. The most significant result was the number of people who think the state is on the wrong track. Sixty-five percent of Minnesotans now believe the state is on the wrong track, the largest number ever recorded in the Thinking Minnesota Poll, representing a 16-point jump in just five months. Poll respondents also shared opinions on ICE in Minnesota:
- Eighty-one percent support deporting individuals here illegally who have a criminal record in the U.S. or abroad.
- Forty-eight percent support deporting as many people as possible who are here illegally back to their country of origin (49 percent oppose).
- Seventy-two percent support Minnesota state and local officials cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] to find and arrest undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of crimes in Minnesota, a number similar to other recent polls in Minnesota.
- Half of respondents (50 percent) told us political leaders – such as the governor and mayors – made the ICE situation more heated with their comments, with only 25 percent saying leaders helped reduce tensions.
- Forty-five percent support the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE in Minnesota with 53 percent opposed.
- Seventy-five percent support making sure illegal immigrants cannot vote in Minnesota elections.
The Thinking Minnesota poll was conducted by Meeting Street Insights, a nationally recognized polling operation based in Charleston, S.C. Interviews were completed February 16-18, 2026, among 500 registered voters in Minnesota who voted in the November 5, 2024, election using a mix of cell phone and landline interviewing. The margin of error is +-4.38 percent.
“After weeks of ICE protests dominating the local news, the Thinking Minnesota Poll shows a silent majority support the mission of ridding our state of criminal illegal aliens,” said John Hinderaker, president of Center of the American Experiment. “Minnesotans also believe political leaders like Tim Walz and Jacob Frey made the situation worse with their divisive rhetoric.”
The poll also tested Minnesotan’s attitudes about protesting, showing a disturbing increase in support for certain forms of political activism compared to a previous poll in March 2024.
- The number who believe it’s ok to stage a demonstration or protest at the home of a government or elected official you disagree with politically increased nine percent.
- The number who believe it’s ok to shut down roads and highways to protest increased seven percent.
- The number who believe it’s ok to publicly confront and shout down a government or elected official you disagree with politically increased five percent.
- The number who believe violent acts are necessary in some cases to achieve a better society and government increased two percent.
The February poll also asked for reaction to the January anti-ICE protest that disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Eighty-three percent opposed the practice of interrupting a worship service at a church you disagree with politically.
