Minnesota voters are closely divided on whether to eliminate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a new Emerson College Polling survey released Saturday. The survey, conducted February 6-8, 2026, also reveals a significant Democratic lead in key races for governor, and U.S. Senate.
The poll shows 46% of Minnesota voters oppose eliminating ICE, whereas 42% favor the move, and 12% remain unsure. This division comes as voters grapple with concerns about immigration and the role of federal agencies in enforcing immigration laws. A plurality of voters, 28%, identified threats to democracy as the top issue facing the state, followed by immigration at 17% and the economy at 16%. Notably, 10% specifically cited issues related to ICE as their primary concern.
In the race to replace outgoing Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar holds a commanding lead over potential Republican challengers. Klobuchar leads Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth 51% to 38%, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell 53% to 31%. Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted that independent voters favor Klobuchar by 27 points over Demuth and by 40 points over Lindell.
The Senate race also favors Democrats. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan leads Republican Michele Tafoya 47% to 41%, with 12% undecided. Representative Angie Craig also holds a lead over Tafoya, 47% to 40%, with 13% undecided.
Minnesota voters expressed disapproval of the actions of ICE officers in two recent Minneapolis shootings. A majority, 57%, believe the officer’s actions were not justified in the shooting of Renee Good, while 34% think they were justified and 8% are unsure. An even larger majority, 61%, believe the officer’s actions were not justified in the shooting of Alex Pretti, with 26% believing they were justified and 13% unsure. A substantial 59% of Minnesota voters disapprove of the Trump administration’s handling of the Alex Pretti shooting, while 28% approve and 13% are unsure.
The survey also indicates a strong disapproval rating for former President Donald Trump among Minnesota voters, with 56% disapproving of his job performance and 39% approving. Current Governor Tim Walz receives a mixed review, with 47% disapproving and 41% approving.
On immigration policy preferences, 42% of Minnesota voters favor the policies of the Trump administration, 35% prefer the Biden administration’s policies, and 23% express no preference. A majority of voters, 60% to 36%, believe ICE’s presence in communities is more harmful than beneficial, a figure slightly higher than the 57% nationally who share that view.
The Emerson College Polling survey of 1,000 Minnesota likely voters has a credibility interval of +/- 3 percentage points. Data was collected via MMS-to-web text and an online panel, weighted by demographics based on U.S. Census parameters and voter file data.
