Immigration in on People’s Minds
According to the February Gallup poll, more Americans have reported that immigration is the most important issue facing the country.
Source: Julie Ricard/Unsplash
There has been a dramatic change in perception in just a month. In the recent poll, 28% of Americans reported immigration as the most important problem, compared to 20% who did back in the same poll from January.
Republicans and Independents are Driving the Change While Democrats are Unchanged
Traditionally, Republican-affiliated Americans are the ones who often cite immigration as one of their top problems. Gallup reported that 57% of Republicans listed immigration as their top issue in February, up from 37% in January.
Source: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
Concern for immigration among Independent voters increased by 16% from January, with very little change from Democrats. Only 10% of Democrats reported immigration being their top issue in February.
Other Problems Reported
While immigration was at the top of the list on this month’s Gallup poll, there were other problems that saw significant concern among respondents.
Source: Elijah Mears/Unsplash
20% of respondents reported that the government was their top concern in February. 12% said that the economy in general was the most important problem while another 11% specifically named inflation as the thing most concerning to them.
History of the Survey
According to Gallup, the 28% rating for immigration on this month’s poll makes it tied for the highest-ever level for the issue since Gallup started cataloging mentions of immigration in 1981.
Source: Barbara Zandoval/Unsplash
Previously immigration ranked first on the poll in July and November 2018 as well as in July 2014. The previous record high for immigration on the poll was 27%, achieved in July 2019.
Highest Border Crossings on Record
These attitudes on immigration from Americans come in the midst of a massive influx of immigrants crossing the United States border with Mexico. AP News reported that in December, illegal border crossings reached historic highs.
Source: CBP Photography/Wikimedia
Images and videos of illegal border crossings saw mainstream coverage, with many Americans starting to become aware of the issue.
US Border Authorities' Reaction in January
In response to the record-high numbers, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) instituted increased enforcement actions.
Source: Greg Bulla/Unsplash
“CBP has taken significant steps to surge personnel and resources to impacted areas and address challenges we are experiencing across the southwest border. Encounter numbers continue to fluctuate, as smugglers and bad actors continue to spread falsehoods and show complete disregard for the safety and well-being of vulnerable migrants,” said a CBP statement in January.
First Two Weeks in January Saw a Decline
While December saw historic illegal crossing numbers, in January the crossing numbers dipped significantly. According to CBP, their enforcement efforts contributed to a significant decrease in border crossings at the beginning of January.
Alejandro Cartagena/Unsplash
“Consistent with historical trends and enhanced enforcement, the first two weeks of January saw an over 50% decrease in southwest border encounters between ports of entry according to preliminary figures.”
Mexican Authorities are Helping Out
Another factor that likely contributed to decreased border crossings in January is the ramping up of enforcement actions on the Mexican side of the border.
Source: Jmagno1998/Wikimedia
AP News reported that Mexico’s immigration agency had sent people away from the border crossing region through a series of at least 22 flights. The Mexican government also sent over 300 migrants away on removal flights to Venezuela.
Texas' Enforcement Actions
One flashpoint in the southern border crisis has been the town of Eagle Pass, Texas. Republicans Texas Governor Greg Abbot recently kicked up the drama by defying orders from the Biden administration to deconstruct razor wire fencing and other harmful barriers in the popular border crossing spot.
Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia
This led to a standoff between federal authorities and Texas, resulting in 25 state governors announcing an intent to support Texas’ efforts to defend its borders. (via Newsweek)
Biden Visiting the Border
The issue has become so spotlighted that President Biden himself will visit the southern border in a rare visit on Thursday. (via The New York Times) Biden is facing a tense presidential reelection campaign in the fall. With this issue at the top of voter’s minds, he has to strike a delicate balance to curry favor.
Source: Michael Stokes/Wikimedia
Biden has to present himself as someone who is taking the border seriously to assage the American public’s concerns while at the same time not alienating his Democratic voting base who traditionally oppose increased border restrictions.
Trump is Visiting Too
According to NBC, former President Donald Trump is also visiting the US-Mexico border, on the same day as Biden no less. Biden’s trip will see him visiting Brownsville, Texas. Donald Trump on the other hand will be visiting the area of Eagle Pass, which is 300 miles away from where Biden will be.
Source: Liam Enea/Wikimedia
Trump plans to speak at the contentious border crossing area, using it as a backdrop to boost his campaign as it represents a resistance to the Biden Administration.