Staff Reports
Illegal immigration continues to dominate the political landscape as the 2024 election looms large. Surpassing other hot-button issues like social equality and transgender rights in terms of importance to most Americans, the border crisis remains a top concern for voters.
Recent polling from Gallup underscores the significance of immigration as a key problem identified by U.S. adults, with numbers showing a consistent ranking of the issue since at least November 2023. With the Biden administration presiding over record numbers of illegal border crossings, public attention on this issue has been fueled further by high-profile incidents involving crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
Former President Donald Trump has not shied away from seizing on these incidents to spotlight what he describes as “Biden migrant crime.” Trump’s blunt commentary on the matter, including through social media platform Truth Social, has resonated with many conservatives who view the influx of illegal immigrants as a threat to public safety.
Illegal Aliens MURDERED all of these Americans. Joe Biden allows unfettered illegal immigration still. Joe Biden hates America. How can you come to any other conclusion?? @POTUS https://t.co/YOZDE0JMsT pic.twitter.com/5I6820yCQM
— Down South Patriot (@kneis816) June 25, 2024
In response to the ongoing concerns surrounding illegal immigration, conservative outlets and groups have taken action. Restoration News, linked to the non-profit organization Restoration of America, recently unveiled an “Illegal Alien Crime” map that catalogues offenses committed by undocumented immigrants in various counties across the country. The map serves as a visual representation of what some see as the consequences of lax border enforcement.
Moreover, language surrounding the issue has become a point of contention, with traditional media guidelines clashing with public sentiment. While outlets like the Associated Press have recommended terms like “undocumented migrants,” a poll conducted by RMG Research, Inc. indicated that a majority of voters prefer the term “illegal immigrants” to describe those who cross the U.S. border without proper authorization.
DeSantis praises Trump's handling of illegal immigration:
"The Trump administration – if we had a criminal alien, they would really want to work with us to send the alien back. When Biden came in, he basically opened the floodgates."pic.twitter.com/kKCBrM3b4d
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) June 25, 2024
As the debate over illegal immigration intensifies, the role of this issue in shaping the 2024 election becomes increasingly apparent. With polls suggesting that Hispanic voters in battleground states trust Trump more than Biden on matters of immigration, the former president’s focus on this topic could prove pivotal in securing support from key demographics.
