Empower Wisconsin | Jan. 10, 2023

By The Center Square

More Americans polled in a recent Los Angeles Times/YouGov survey expressed opposition to President Joe Biden’s immigration policies than supported them, including catch and release and not detaining and deporting millions of people who’ve illegally entered the U.S. since he’s been in office.

They also expressed support for local and state governments doing more when the federal government fails to do its job.

According to the poll, 35% strongly disapprove and 15% somewhat disapprove of Biden’s handling of immigration compared to only 8% who said they strongly approve and 25% who somewhat approve.

The poll of 1,573 U.S. citizens, was released as Biden visited the U.S. southern border for the first time in his presidency. Border agents reported nearly 234,000 encounters with illegal immigrants in November, up by about 58,000 compared to November 2021. Biden also is attending the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City, where migration is expected to be a major topic of conversation. 

A majority of poll respondents, 64%, said illegal immigration is a problem in the U.S. An additional 42% said those who illegally enter the U.S. and file immigration claims should be sent back to their country of origin compared to 17% who said they should be able to remain in the U.S.

Another 39% said those illegally living in the U.S. without proper authorization should be required to leave the U.S. By comparison, 35% said they should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship; 12% said they could stay but not become citizens.

Illegal entry and remaining in the U.S. without proper authorization is grounds for deportation, according to Title 8, the federal statute governing entry and deportation. The Biden administration halted most enforcement of it last year, prompting multiple states to sue.

Read more at The Center Square.