Fact Check: 51% of Americans approve of President Trump's handling of immigration and border security, while 49% disapprove, indicating a closely divided public opinion on this issue.

Fact Check: "51% of Americans approve of President Trump's handling of immigration and border security, while 49% disapprove, indicating a closely divided public opinion on this issue."

What We Know

The claim that "51% of Americans approve of President Trump's handling of immigration and border security" is not supported by recent polling data. According to a Marquette Law School Poll conducted from May 5-15, 2025, approval for Trump's handling of immigration is split evenly at 50% approval and 50% disapproval, resulting in a net approval of 0%. Furthermore, the same poll indicates that Trump's overall approval rating is at 46% with 54% disapproving of his job performance.

Additionally, a survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only 46% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's handling of immigration, which is significantly lower than the claimed 51%. This suggests a more nuanced public opinion, with a notable portion of the population expressing disapproval of his immigration policies.

Analysis

The claim of 51% approval appears to stem from a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of polling data. The Marquette Law School Poll clearly states that Trump's approval rating on immigration is 50%, with an equal percentage disapproving. This indicates a divided opinion, but not in the manner suggested by the claim.

Furthermore, the AP-NORC poll reinforces this by reporting a 46% approval rating, which further contradicts the claim. The discrepancy in numbers suggests that the claim may have been exaggerated or inaccurately reported.

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. The Marquette Law School Poll is a reputable academic survey known for its rigorous methodology, while the AP-NORC Center is a well-respected organization in public opinion research. Both sources provide clear data that contradicts the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The assertion that "51% of Americans approve of President Trump's handling of immigration and border security" is inaccurate. Current polling data shows a split approval rating of 50% approval and 50% disapproval according to the Marquette Law School Poll, and a lower approval rating of 46% from the AP-NORC survey. Therefore, the claim does not reflect the actual public opinion on this issue.

Fact Check: 51% of Americans approve of President Trump's handling of immigration and border security, while 49% disapprove, indicating a closely divided public opinion on this issue.