According to a Gallup poll released Wednesday, one in 6 Americans identified immigration as one of the nation’s most pressing concerns. The percentage of Americans who ranked the issue at the top rose by a considerable margin, from 5 to 17 percent, since June. The spike in public awareness about the issue is namely attributed to growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis at the border as a result of a surge in unaccompanied immigrant minors.
In a statement released by Gallup yesterday, “immigration now virtually ties ‘dissatisfaction with government,’ at 16%, as the primary issue Americans think of when asked to name the country’s top problem.”
The results of the Gallup poll are consistent with a Washington Post- ABC poll that found concerns over immigration are particularly pronounced in border states such as Arizona,California, New Mexico and Texas given their proximity to the crisis. Another survey conducted by the Pew Research Center this week found that 53 percent of Americans support a policy that would expedite the legal review process for the Central American undocumented minors seeking refuge in the U.S.
While those surveyed on both sides of the political aisle remain divided over which party is best equipped to handle immigration, the Gallup poll noted that the electoral implications of the survey are significant because, “with no solution to the current crisis in sight, and less than four months to go before the midterm elections, it is easy to believe the issue could still be a factor come November.”
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