In a strategic move to recalibrate their stance on immigration, Democrats have unearthed potentially game-changing messaging tactics aimed at undermining former President Donald Trump’s stronghold on the issue, according to a new poll. The survey, orchestrated by Democratic-leaning groups Way to Win and Impact Research, reveals insights from key 2026 battleground districts and was shared exclusively with POLITICO.

The research does not mask the Democrats' generally unfavorable ratings on immigration, where they lag with a 58-percentage-point net negative approval. In contrast, Republicans face an 11-percentage-point net negative job rating. However, the poll indicates a viable pathway for Democrats to mitigate Trump’s influence on immigration by a significant 10 percentage points through targeted messaging.

The core of the Democrats' strategy revolves around highlighting the alleged overreach and disregard for the rule of law under Trump’s administration, which they argue not only threatens noncitizens but also citizens. This approach comes after a period of relative silence from Democrats on the topic during and after the 2024 election cycle, which Tory Gavito, president of Way to Win, described as a total lack of response.

The survey was conducted across more than 70 crucial congressional districts, including 26 top House Democratic-held seats the party aims to defend in the next cycle. It revealed a dent in Trump’s armor; his initial positive job rating on immigration plummeted from 50 percent to 45 percent after voters were exposed to messages about his policy overreaches.

Specific instances cited in the survey included the deportation of a legally residing individual to El Salvador due to a misidentified autism awareness tattoo and a 10-year-old U.S. citizen deported because her parents were undocumented. These narratives, researchers believe, could significantly sway public opinion.

Moreover, the poll highlights strong voter opposition to policies that lead to family separations and the unjust revocation of visas and green cards, with a vast majority against sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons without solid proof of criminal activity.

Molly Murphy, president of Impact Research, pointed out the disparity between voter support for Trump’s immigration policies and their approval of his methods of enforcing these policies. The challenge, she notes, lies in bringing these high-profile cases to the forefront of public awareness, as ignorance among the electorate tends to breed approval.

The survey, conducted from May 6-11 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, also touched upon the recent protests in Los Angeles and the deployment of California’s National Guard, underscoring the political tension and the narrative of governmental overreach.

Democrats are advised to shift focus from the protests to the poignant stories of individuals adversely affected by the immigration policies. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) emphasized the necessity of keeping these stories in the news, planning to discuss the survey findings further with the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

As the political landscape heats up, Democrats appear poised to refine their immigration rhetoric, aiming to transform a historically weak point into a robust counter to Trump’s agenda. The unfolding strategy suggests a shift towards more personal, impactful narratives that resonate deeply with voters, potentially redefining the immigration debate as we head towards the 2026 elections.