A recent Gallup poll shows that for the third month in a row, Americans are voicing their concerns about immigration as the most important issue facing the United States. The survey, released on Tuesday, indicates that 27 percent of Americans consider immigration to be the top problem, surpassing government, the economy, and inflation. This trend marks the first time in 24 years that immigration has held the top spot for three consecutive months.
Unsurprisingly, Republicans and swing voters are more likely than Democrats to prioritize immigration as the main issue leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Nearly half of Republicans and a quarter of swing voters view immigration as the most pressing concern, compared to only eight percent of Democrats.
Since President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, the U.S.-Mexico border has seen a record-high influx of nearly eight million encountered migrants and an estimated two million successful crossings by “got-aways.” This surge in illegal immigration extends beyond the southern border and includes the eligibility of approximately 1.2 million foreign nationals for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The continuous flow of migrants, along with high levels of legal immigration, has driven the foreign-born population in the U.S. to an unprecedented 51.4 million. Without a reduction in immigration levels, projections suggest that the total U.S. population could reach close to 400 million by 2060.
Overall, immigration remains a significant concern for Americans, prompting discussions and debates on how to address the challenges and implications associated with this issue.
