Democrats are strategizing on how to tackle the issue of immigration, which has been a challenge for them in recent elections. A survey of likely voters conducted in key 2026 battleground districts by Democratic-leaning groups Way to Win and Impact Research suggests that with the right messaging, Democrats can reduce President Donald Trump’s strength on immigration by a net 10 percentage points.
The poll reveals that while Republicans have an 11-percentage-point net negative job rating on immigration, Democrats have a staggering 58-percentage-point net negative rating on the issue. However, the survey indicates that Democrats can change the narrative by highlighting Trump’s overreach and disregard for the rule of law, which they argue threatens both citizens and noncitizens through mass deportations.
The survey, conducted in over 70 key congressional districts, including the 26 “frontline” member list of top House Democratic-held seats, found that emphasizing Trump’s overreach led to a drop in his initial job rating on immigration. Specific examples, such as the deportation of a person with autism awareness tattoos or a 10-year-old U.S. citizen deported due to her parents’ undocumented status, resonated with respondents.
Researchers point out that policies separating families and impacting children are among the most salient issues for voters. The survey also indicates that a majority of respondents oppose revoking visas and green cards without proof of committing a crime and do not support sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons.
While voters may approve of Trump’s immigration policies without knowing the specifics, Democrats aim to educate the public on the real-life implications of these policies. The survey, conducted with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, does not capture reactions to the recent protests in Los Angeles or the showdown between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration over the deployment of the state’s National Guard.
Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) emphasizes the importance of keeping stories about Trump’s immigration overreach in the news. He plans to hold a briefing on the survey findings for members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to ensure that the focus remains on the impact of these policies on everyday people.
Overall, Democrats are looking to shift the narrative on immigration by highlighting Trump’s overreach and the real-life consequences of his policies. By engaging voters with specific examples and messaging, they hope to gain ground on an issue that has long plagued their electoral prospects.
