Democrats tested immigration messaging in battleground districts. Here's what they found.

Democrats Seek to Reclaim Immigration Narrative Ahead of 2026 Elections

A recent survey targeting likely voters aims to provide Democrats with a strategy to tackle one of their most enduring challenges: immigration policy. Conducted by the Democratic-leaning organizations Way to Win and Impact Research in pivotal battleground districts for the 2026 elections, the poll reveals that with effective messaging, Democrats could potentially diminish former President Donald Trump’s immigration approval ratings by as much as 10 percentage points.

This survey does not mince words regarding Democrats’ current standing on immigration. While Republicans have an 11-percentage-point net negative approval rating (43% approval versus 54% disapproval), Democrats find themselves in a considerably worse position with a staggering 58-percentage-point net negative rating (only 19% approve while 77% disapprove).

The message testing indicates that Democrats could shift public sentiment by highlighting Trump’s overreaching policies and his apparent contempt for the rule of law—an approach they argue endangers both citizens and noncitizens as he pursues aggressive deportation strategies. Yet, many within the party appear hesitant to engage with the topic.

“Throughout the 2024 election cycle, Democrats were entirely mute on immigration,” remarked Tory Gavito, president of Way to Win. “There was an utter lack of response. This poll serves as a wake-up call, demonstrating that when Democrats spotlight the failures of enforcement, they can effectively challenge Trump on one of his strongest platforms.”

The survey, which examined over 70 crucial congressional districts—including the 26 frontline Democratic-held seats poised for defense—exposed vulnerabilities in Trump’s immigration policy. His initial job approval rating of 50% positive and 49% negative plummeted to 45% positive and 54% negative when respondents were prompted with messages concerning his overreach.

Particular examples used in the survey, such as the deportation of an individual legally in the country due to a misinterpreted autism awareness tattoo and the deportation of a 10-year-old U.S. citizen because of her parents’ undocumented status, resonated strongly with respondents. Researchers have identified family separation and its adverse effects on children as particularly poignant issues for voters. A significant 74% of respondents opposed revoking visas and green cards from individuals without criminal records, and nearly 80% were against sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons.

“Voters differentiate between Trump’s immigration policies and his methods of enforcement,” noted Molly Murphy, president of Impact Research. “While there is support for his immigration objectives, there is widespread disapproval of his approach.”

However, rallying public attention around the intricacies of Trump’s immigration policies poses its own set of challenges. Polling indicates that voters who are less informed about prominent cases tend to have a more favorable view of the president’s immigration strategies.

Conducted from May 6-11 with a margin of error of ±3.1%, the poll does not reflect reactions to the widespread protests occurring in Los Angeles.

The conflict involving California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard has further spotlighted the president’s alleged overreach.

“Democrats should shift focus away from the protesters for now,” Murphy advised. “Our conversation should center on the individuals being deported: those here legally, individuals with clean records, and U.S. citizens—rather than engaging in a narrative that plays into his hands.”

Representative Greg Casar (D-Texas) emphasized the necessity of keeping these stories in the public eye and plans to brief members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus on the poll’s findings early next week on Capitol Hill.

“Trump aims to amplify the chaos he’s fostering in Los Angeles,” Casar asserted. “Democrats must ensure that the spotlight remains on the immigration overreach that is causing distress and discontent among everyday people.”