Recent Poll Shows Immigration a Top Priority
Immigration as an overarching broad issue has become a centerpiece of presidential candidates vying for their parties’ nominations. Different immigration plans and statements have been bandied about over the past few months. The focus on immigration seems to be well warranted, not only from a policy-based perspective, but also from a practical voter-based perspective. After all, an election is about convincing the most number of voters to vote for you, both in the primary and in the general election.
New polling information conducted by Gallup indicates that focusing on immigration is crucial for garnering votes. The polling information shows that 20% of US voters will ONLY vote for a candidate who shares their views on immigration. Another 60% of US voters have indicated that immigration as a general topic will be one of their important considerations in deciding on a candidate.
The groups of voters who consider immigration higher among their concerns are Republican registered voters, first- or second-generation immigrants, and Hispanics. Immigration as an electoral concern can mean a million different things. It can encompass H-1B visas, increasing employment immigration, ensuring more border security, integrating immigrants into the United States, etc. One manifestation of immigration this primary election cycle has been the issue of birthright citizenship. The United States is exceptional in providing birthright citizenship through the 14th Amendment (being born in the United States confers United States citizenship, regardless of who the parents are). The elimination of birthright citizenship as a way of dealing with undocumented migrants has received more attention than usual.
These kinds of polls are a mainstay in electoral politics and similar polls will likely be released weekly in the lead up to the primaries early next year and into the general election. The nation’s pulse is on immigration in way that could affect the election. Whether that leads to actual legislative or policy changes remains to be seen. Immigration has been an important issue in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 general elections, but the DREAM Act has remained a legislative proposal and nothing more since 2001.