In the lead-up to the upcoming presidential election, former President Donald Trump has declared his intention to implement drastic measures to secure the U.S.-Mexico border if he wins in November. This position is garnering significant support among Latino voters, who have shown increasing favorability toward stricter immigration policies. According to the latest Axios-Ipsos Latino Poll, the proportion of Latinos who support the construction of a border wall and the deportation of all undocumented immigrants has risen by at least 10 percentage points since 2021.
This trend highlights a broader shift within the Latino community, reflecting a complex interplay between personal connections to immigration and the perceived need for stricter border security. The poll indicates that Trump’s advocacy for heightened border measures and his often harsh rhetoric on immigration are resonating with a growing segment of Latino voters. This shift also underscores the Republican Party’s recent gains among Latinos, mirroring the increasing frustration with illegal immigration that has become a central issue for many Americans during election cycles.
If Trump were to regain the presidency, he has vowed to significantly bolster border security and orchestrate mass deportations, which he claims could involve up to a million individuals. In contrast, President Joe Biden has stated that he would be prepared to “close the border” in response to surges in border crossings, a stance he adopted following criticism over his administration’s handling of border security.
According to the Axios report, 42% of Latino adults now support the construction of a wall or fence along the entire U.S.-Mexico border, a substantial increase from December 2021. Furthermore, 38% of respondents favor the deportation of all undocumented immigrants in the U.S., up from 28% in 2021. These statistics highlight a growing endorsement of stringent immigration policies among Latino voters.
Additionally, 64% of Latinos support giving the president the authority to shut U.S. borders if there is an excessive influx of immigrants attempting to enter the country, a question posed for the first time in this survey. Cuban Americans show the strongest support for the border wall at 58%, reflecting their generally more conservative stance compared to other Latino groups. Conversely, support for the border wall is lowest among Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans at 37%, with Central Americans also showing limited support at 43%.
The survey further reveals that immigration remains a top concern for Latinos in this election year, following issues like inflation and crime. Despite the growing percentage of Latinos advocating for the deportation of undocumented immigrants, a significant majority (65%) still support offering a pathway to citizenship for those in the country illegally. Additionally, 59% are in favor of granting asylum to refugees escaping violence and crime in Latin America, indicating a nuanced perspective on immigration within the Latino community.
Chris Jackson, an Ipsos pollster and senior vice president, commented to Axios that the poll illustrates a gradual increase in the popularity of hardline immigration positions among Latinos. This development occurs amid criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris’s performance in addressing illegal immigration since being assigned the task in 2021.
Former Border Patrol union head Brandon Judd expressed disappointment with Harris’s efforts, claiming she failed to implement the necessary policies. Judd’s remarks align with increased scrutiny of Harris’s record on immigration and border security, particularly following President Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection and would support Harris as his successor. Critics argue that Harris has underperformed on this critical issue, which could significantly impact the outcome of the 2024 election.
In March 2021, President Biden appointed Harris to lead the administration’s efforts to address the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle nations of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This role included overseeing diplomatic initiatives to strengthen immigration laws and border security in those countries. Harris’s efforts resulted in a memorandum of understanding with Mexico later in 2021, leading to $4 billion in aid and an additional $5.2 billion in private investment to tackle the root causes of migration.
However, an NBC News report revealed that Harris’s efforts have waned, with no new commitments made since January 2022. The report noted that Harris has not visited the border or the countries south of it since June 2021, when she signed the agreement with Mexico. Despite the decrease in attempted crossings by migrants from the Northern Triangle, illegal crossings overall reached record levels in 2021, 2022, and 2023 as migrants from various regions sought to enter the U.S.
In 2023 alone, over 30,000 Chinese migrants were apprehended for illegally crossing the southern border, according to government data. This surge in illegal crossings underscores the ongoing challenges facing U.S. immigration policy and border security, highlighting the complexities and multifaceted nature of the issue.
As the 2024 election approaches, immigration and border security will undoubtedly remain pivotal topics, influencing voter opinions and shaping the political landscape. With significant support among Latino voters for stricter immigration policies, Trump’s hardline stance on border security may play a crucial role in his campaign strategy, while Biden and Harris’s record on the issue will likely come under intense scrutiny.