Higher Trust in State Handling of Border Than Federal Government
Fifty-four percent of Americans support Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent decision to install an aqueous barrier across the Rio Grande River at the southern border.
Fifty-four percent of Americans support Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent decision to install an aqueous barrier across the Rio Grande River at the southern border.
WHY IT MATTERS – Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the construction of the barrier to quell illegal immigration, but the policy has been challenged in court by President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice.
THE NUMBERS – A recent YouGov survey asked Americans for their opinions on different governmental approaches to limit illegal immigration into the United States.
Texas recently installed a floating barrier of large buoys meant to stop migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande River along the border of Mexico. Do you approve or disapprove of Texas building this barrier?
54% – Approve
30% – Disapprove
16% – Not sure
Would you prefer that the federal government police the border instead of individual states?
56% – Yes
25% – No
19% – Not sure
Do you think the Texas Rangers, from the Texas Department of Public Safety, do a good job or a bad job carrying out their mission to deter, detect and interdict criminal activity across the Texas/Mexico border?
40% – Good job
22% – Bad job
38% – Not sure
Do you think the U.S. Border Patrol does a good job or a bad job carrying out its mission to detect and prevent the illegal entry of individuals into the United States?
35% – Good job
31% – Bad job
34% – Not sure
Do you think U.S. Customs and Border Protection does a good job or a bad job carrying out its mission to protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation’s economic prosperity?
32% – Good job
32% – Bad job
36% – Not sure
Do you think U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does a good job or a bad job carrying out its mission to protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety?
27% – Good job
38% – Bad job
34% – Not sure
Do you think the part of the Department of Justice that handles administrative immigration hearings does a good job or a bad job carrying out its mission to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation’s immigration laws?
15% – Good job
48% – Bad job
37% – Not sure
THE BOTTOM LINE – Americans believe that states do a better job of providing a secure border than the federal government.
GO DEEPER –
YouGov - How Americans rate the performance of U.S. agencies handling immigration