New polling shows that the public is more likely to call illegal immigration rather than the COVID-19 pandemic a “very big problem."
Almost half, or 48%, now view illegal immigration as a “very big problem,” while 47% view the coronavirus pandemic the same way. The numbers reflect a large change from June, when only 28% viewed illegal immigration as a “very big problem,” compared to 58% who felt that way about the coronavirus, according to numbers for Pew Research.
The numbers come as the Biden administration has struggled to deal with a surge in illegal border crossings since Inauguration Day, with the Department of Homeland Security now estimating that about 500,000 to 800,000 family groups will attempt to make the crossing in fiscal 2021. Border officials estimated that a record high of over 17,000 unaccompanied minors attempted to cross the border in March alone.
Meanwhile, some states have begun to ease or even completely eliminate pandemic restrictions as cases and hospitalizations fall and the vaccines see wider distribution.
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But the poll wasn’t all bad news for Biden, who has seen his approval rating rise to 59% after dipping to 54% in March. The public is also more likely to say it likes the way Biden conducts himself as president, with 46%, compared to 27% who say they don’t.
When it comes to specific issues, less than half, or 44%, say they agree with Biden on nearly all, with 13%, or many, with 31%, of important issues facing the country. That’s compared to 25% who say they agree with Biden on a few issues and 29% who say they agree with the president on nearly no issues.