Fifty-one percent of likely U.S. voters believe that the Biden administration is encouraging illegal immigration, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey released Monday.
Border encounters with illegal immigrants climbed to 164,973 in February, up from about 154,000 in January but down from surges in November and December, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A bigger surge is expected in spring and summer because of the Biden administration's expected withdrawal of Title 42, a public health policy that allows the U.S. to expel immigrants under a public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz recently told CNN that 7,000 to 8,000 migrants a day could soon "become the norm."
"We're managing a flow that's significant," he told CNN, stating that the expected surge is "going to put additional strain" on border officials and facilities.
The Rasmussen survey of 1,000 likely U.S. voters, conducted on April 18-19, also found:
- 53% of Democrats support the trend of record-setting illegal immigration, which is opposed by 75% of Republicans and 54% of voters not affiliated with either party.
- 53% of voters oppose the trend, including 41% who strongly oppose it. However, 35% support the trend of rising illegal immigration, including 19% who strongly support it.
- 78% of Republican voters believe the Biden administration is purposefully encouraging illegal immigration, a view shared by 30% of Democrats and 45% of unaffiliated voters.
- 54% of Democrats, 13% of Republicans and 34% of unaffiliated voters don't think the Biden administration is encouraging illegal immigration.
- Among voters who Strongly Approve of Biden's job performance as president, 68% support the trend of higher illegal immigration.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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