Donald Trump’s famous campaign pledge to build a border wall has gained renewed attention due to a sharp increase in illegal border crossings under the current administration. This has led to a notable change in public opinion in favor of building the wall on the southern border.
FOX NEWS POLL: A record number of voters favor building a U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Do you Support or Oppose building a wall along U.S. Mexico border?
Support 57% [+18]
Oppose 40% [-11][Change vs Sept. 2018]
Support/Oppose
DEM: 27/68
GOP: 88/12
IND: 53/38… pic.twitter.com/5u363uuikH— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) October 11, 2023
In a recent Fox News survey released on Wednesday, it was revealed that 57% of registered voters are in favor of constructing a border wall along the nation’s southern border with Mexico, while 40% oppose the idea. This marks a substantial change from November 2015 when 50% of respondents were in favor and 47% opposed the wall.
What’s most striking is the substantial reversal in public opinion since September 2018 when support for the border wall hit a low point at 39%, with the majority (51%) opposing its construction. The surge in support is notable, especially among traditionally Democratic demographics.
For instance, Hispanic voters have seen a 14% increase in support for the wall since February, while support among Black voters rose by 9% during the same period. Even among Democrats, there was an 8% increase in support. Notably, voters over the age of 65 witnessed a significant 19% surge in favor of the border wall, and Republican support grew by 7%.
The upswing in public support for the border wall can be attributed, in part, to the recent increase in illegal immigrant arrivals in major American cities, which tend to lean left politically.
Over seven million individuals have unlawfully entered the United States since President Joe Biden assumed office, and his administration’s perceived leniency on illegal entry has provoked anger among Republicans. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), in a bold move, has transported undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities to protest the federal government’s border policies.
This tactic appears to have yielded results, as protests in favor of bolstering border security have emerged even in left-leaning sanctuary cities such as New York. The Abbott administration alone has sent more than 13,000 migrants to the Big Apple, while the city has seen over 110,000 arrivals over the past year.
Under mounting pressure from both Democratic lawmakers and Republicans, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged an “immediate need” to construct additional border barriers in a key Texas region known for illegal crossings.
Public perception of the Biden administration’s immigration policies remains significantly low, with only 33.4% of respondents expressing support for the administration’s approach, according to RealClearPolitics. The majority, comprising 63% of those surveyed, disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the issue.
