(PatriotSpotlight.org) – In a major shift, Americans now see immigration as the nation’s most critical issue, a recent Gallup poll reveals. This marks the first ever instance since 2019 that immigration has topped the list of citizens’ political concerns.
Conducted between February 1 and 20th this year, the survey found that 28 percent of respondents felt immigration was the foremost issue facing the U.S. The fresh figures marked an eight-point surge from the previous month. Government issues followed closely behind, garnering 20 percent of respondents’ votes for their main concern. Economic matters and inflation garnered 12 and 11 percent of responses respectively.
The poll, published by Gallup, surveyed 1,016 adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points. Concerns over immigration are particularly pronounced among Republicans, with 90 percent expressing worry, compared to 54 percent of independents and 29 percent of Democrats.
The recent spike in public concern over immigration coincides with record-breaking numbers of illegal border crossings under the Biden administration. Despite bipartisan efforts, such as the border deal negotiated by Senators James Lankford (R., Okla) and Chris Murphy (D., Conn), conservative lawmakers have rejected proposals they deem insufficient in tackling rising illegal immigration.
Further controversy erupted around on immigration policies in recent weeks following a tragic incident involving an illegal immigrant from Venezuela accused of the brutal murder of University of Georgia student Laken Riley. The suspect, who was paroled and released into the country in September 2022 after crossing the southern border into Texas, has drawn attention to ongoing immigration failures.
President Biden is reportedly considering an executive order that would tighten asylum access under a 1952 law, allowing the suspension of foreigners deemed contrary to national interest. However, Biden’s new strategy may prove inadequate, with a recent Marquette University poll showing Americans expressing an overwhelming preference for former President Trump in handling immigration issues, with 53 percent favoring him over Biden’s approach, which garnered only 29 percent support.
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