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Immigration is a Hot Button Issue

There is marked dissatisfaction over illegal immigration and deep concern over its implications. Some but not all of this is driven by concern about terrorism – a number of surveys have shown support for limiting immigration surged after 9/11.

Three-quarters of the public give the U.S. a "C" grade or worse in "protecting our borders from illegal immigration," with nearly one-quarter giving an "F." Roughly as many say it worries them that "it may be too easy for illegal immigrants to come into the country," with four in ten saying it worries them a lot.

Even more striking is that 58% say tighter controls on immigration would strengthen national security "a great deal." Another 30 percent said tighter immigration would at least "somewhat" strengthen security. Of all the security proposals cited in the survey, this is second only to improving U.S. intelligence operations (65% said that would help a great deal). Another 41% think it would improve security a great deal to have tighter controls on foreign students in American universities.

However, conflicted feelings about immigration are nothing new. Security fears may be pushing public attitudes toward a tipping point on immigration, but they build on longstanding economic and social concerns. It's also vital to remember that the public has historically made a distinction between legal and illegal immigration, with surveys finding far more favorable attitudes toward those who "play by the rules." At the same time there are longstanding concerns with the strain that both kinds of immigrants may place on our infrastructures.

Still, the idea that people can enter and live in the United States without permission is of tremendous concern to the public. Leadership elites may well be daunted by the enormous administrative, social and economic problems involved in controlling the nation's borders, but the public's patience with illegal immigration may be wearing thin.