59% Say U.S. Should Continue To Build Fence on U.S.-Mexico Border
Thursday, March 18, 2010 The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it is halting funding of the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, but 59% of Americans believe the United States should continue to build that fence.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% of adults disagree and think the building of the fence should be stopped. Fifteen percent (15%) more are not sure.
Support for the fence has been at this level for several years. In January of last year, 60% favored the continued building of the fence to help stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In August 2007, 56% felt that way.
Following this week’s shooting deaths of U.S. consulate personnel in Mexico, 49% say they are more concerned about drug violence along the border than illegal immigration. Thirty-nine percent (39%) remain more concerned about illegal immigration. This is consistent with findings in January 2009 amid news reports of escalating drug violence in Mexico.
In April of last year, just 30% of U.S. voters said drug users in the United States were more to blame for growing drug violence in Mexico than the drug producers themselves. Fifty-six percent (56%) say the Mexican drug producers are more to blame for the tide of violence that threatens to cross into the United States.
Sixty-five percent (65%) of men believe the United States should continue to build the border fence, compared to 54% of women. Those under the age of 50 are stronger advocates of a fence than their elders.
Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Republicans think the fence still should be built, a view shared by 51% of Democrats and 58% of adults not affiliated with either major party.
Men are almost evenly divided on the question of drug violence versus illegal immigration, while most women are more concerned about Mexican drug violence crossing into the United States. Those over 50 share that concern about escalating violence more than those who are younger.
Most Republicans (51%) are more concerned about illegal immigration, but 62% of Democrats worry more about drug violence. Unaffiliateds are closely divided on the question.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced the freeze in funding for the fence on Tuesday, saying the project has been plagued with cost overruns and other problems.
As the country wrestles with a future of historic-level deficits, 67% of voters say illegal immigrants are a significant strain on the U.S. budget. That’s one reason why 68% say gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already living in the United States. The majority support for controlling the borders has been consistent through several years of surveying.
A sizable majority of Americans have consistently said that it is important for the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration.
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