CBS Poll: 3 of 4 Say Border 'Very Serious'; Nearly Half See 'Crisis'

Three of 4 Americans say the situation at the southern border is "very serious," including 45% who call it a "crisis," according to a new poll published by CBS News.

Further, with another 18% saying it's "somewhat serious," it adds up to 93% of those surveyed calling it a serious problem, according to the poll published Sunday. Only 7% say it's "not much of a problem."

It also adds up to a 32% approval rating for President Joe Biden for his handling of the border. Congressional Republicans fare slightly better, scoring an approval mark of 35%.

The 45% who say the border is now a crisis is up 7 points from May, "a change in sentiment driven primarily by Democrats and independents," according to the poll.

Regardless, 63% of those surveyed say it should be tougher for migrants to cross the border, up 8 points from September. Just 16% say it should be easier and 21% say the crossings are just right, a 5-point drop from September.

The poll comes amid attempts by House Republicans to force the hand of the Biden administration on shoring up the border. At first, GOP lawmakers held up a $106 billion aid package for tougher border policies, but a trip to Texas last week attended by 65 Republican lawmakers now has a faction willing to force a government shutdown over the crisis.

Also, Republicans seek a return of the "Remain in Mexico" policy for migrants waiting out the asylum process, and 44% of those surveyed agree, saying they should leave the U.S. while they wait; 43% said migrants should remain in the U.S. while they wait; 13% said they should leave with "no chance to return."

There was a major swing in attitudes on sending migrants from border states to northern states, a policy that was split 50-50 in May. Now, 57% of those surveyed disapprove of the tactic. Independents oppose the tactic, most notably employed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, 56% to 44%, but a surprising 47% of Republicans are also opposed.

"Approval is down even among Republicans, about half of whom now disapprove of the practice," the survey said. "Some of this difference is regional: most Republicans in the southern and western states from where the migrants are being sent approve, while most Republicans in the Midwest and Northeast — where the migrants are being sent — disapprove."

The CBS News/YouGov poll surveyed 2,157 adult residents from Jan. 3-5 and has a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 points.