Americans are most likely to say that “immigration” is the “most important problem” facing the nation, marking a surge in concern about the issue ahead of the fall elections.
Roughly 28% of respondents identified immigration as the “most important problem facing this country today,” according to a survey from Gallup, a significant increase from 20% who said the same last month. The issue of immigration therefore surpassed “the government” as the greatest problem impacting the country, with 20% naming the latter issue.
The “economy in general” was named by 12% of respondents, while “inflation” was referenced by 11% of respondents. Only 4% believe that “race relations” are the most pressing matter.
Gallup observed that immigration has “ranked ahead of all other issues as the most important problem” in previous iterations of the poll, such as during a surge in attempted illegal entries by migrants traveling from Central America five years ago. The entity also noted that the most recent survey was conducted as members of the Senate attempted to pass a controversial border deal alongside military aid packages for Ukraine and Israel.
The increased public concern with respect to border policy comes as the state government of Texas and the Biden administration clash over illegal immigration. Texas officials recently assumed control of Shelby Park, a public park in the city of Eagle Pass next to the Rio Grande, preventing federal agents from entering the nearly three-mile stretch of the border.
Five members of the Supreme Court decided last month to grant an emergency request from the Biden administration to remove razor wire in the area, after which Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said he would defend their “constitutional authority to secure the border.”
United States Customs and Border Protection has encountered more than 7.5 million individuals entering the country illegally since Biden assumed office. The lackluster border security also corresponds with drug trafficking and expenses related to services for illegal immigrants.
