Unit 2

Border Crisis Impacting Public Opinion on Immigration

Summary:


Immigration has been a problem for the government for years, but public opinion on what is the most pressing aspect of immigration has changed. A lot of the illegal immigrants that are crossing the border are unaccompanied children. Some Americans call them refugees and are willing to help them out, while others say that their parents are just using loopholes in the U.S. immigration system. At the beginning of the new century, most Americans believed that the U.S. government should be focusing on stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and deporting those that are already here, but in 2012, the majority of people believed that the government should be focused on making a plan that allows illegal immigrants to become legal U.S. residents. In recent years, people are starting to revert back to their old opinions. In February 2014, 54% of Americans said that legal status was more important that border control, and in July 2014, 51% of Americans said that the government should be stopping the flow of undocumented immigrants at the border. People are very split on what to do with most polls coming out about 50/50. As usual Republicans and Democrats disagree with how to handle the situation with the Republicans wanting more border control and the Democrats wanting to make it easier for the illegal immigrants to become citizens, but people tend to disagree more when it comes to the region in which they live. People who live near the border, in the Southern and Midwestern states, are pushing for more border control, and the people who live in the Northeast are more worried about legalization policies. Independents and people in the west are split on the issue.






Analysis:


Unit 2 dealt a lot with public opinion and where American's stand on certain issues by taking polls. Over the past few years the general public's view on immigration has changed. A lot of polls were conducted the see how American's stand on immigration. As of recent years, the majority of people want stricter border control instead of focusing on legal status, even though Americans are split down the middle pretty much. I believe that the immigration process is very complicated and should be revised so that it doesn't take so long for immigrants to become legal citizens, but I also believe in stricter border control. If the border security is stricter, then there won't be as many illegal immigrants flowing in, therefore not having to worry about legal status. I also understand though, that having more border security will cost a lot of money. I don’t exactly know what is the right solution, or if there even is a right solution.






http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/24/cnn-poll-border-crisis-impacting-public-opinion-on-immigration/