WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recent national poll conducted by Cygnal reveals that illegal immigration is increasingly recognized as a crucial issue among American voters, significantly influencing public opinion and political trust. The poll, conducted between February 6 and 8, 2024, highlights the urgency with which voters believe the border crisis should be addressed.
Chris Lane, a pollster and Director of Client Strategy at Cygnal, emphasized the importance of illegal immigration as a primary concern for voters, influenced by both media coverage and local community impacts. This perspective has bolstered Republican credibility on border security, with 48% of voters, including a substantial margin of Independents, expressing greater trust in the Republican Party to manage the nation’s border security effectively.
The poll also found broad support for governors like Texas’ Greg Abbott, who have taken assertive measures to confront the border crisis, reflecting dissatisfaction with presidential inaction and Congressional deadlock. Approximately 70% of voters favor enforcing current immigration laws, including deportations and suspending new immigration until the crisis is managed.
Key findings from the poll include a significant shift in voter priorities, with illegal immigration rising more than 10 points among top concerns since December. Fifty-seven percent of voters advocate for detaining and deporting illegal immigrants rather than releasing them, a sentiment echoed by 58% of Independent voters.
Additionally, a notable segment of Democrats (18%) supports the idea of eliminating borders entirely, advocating for unrestricted entry into the country. Meanwhile, public sentiment towards the United States’ direction has darkened, with 63% of voters feeling the country is on the wrong track, a 9-point increase from December. President Biden’s favorability ratings continue to decline, compounded by pervasive concerns over inflation, the economy, and the escalating border crisis.
This poll underscores the critical role of immigration and border security in shaping the political landscape, indicating a pressing demand for effective leadership and solutions to these issues.