Half of Respondents Believe U.S.-Mexico Border Rules Uphold U.S. Law Against Illegal Immigration

The Mexico border immigration regulation is a new rule that went into effect on May 12, 2023. The law makes it more difficult for migrants to seek asylum in the United States. Under the new rule, migrants crossing the border illegally will be presumed ineligible for asylum unless they can prove that they were persecuted in their home country or would be persecuted if they returned.

The regulation has been met with mixed reactions. Some people support the regulation, arguing that it is necessary to deter illegal immigration. Others oppose the regulation, arguing that it is inhumane.

The regulation is likely to have a significant impact on immigration to the United States. It is possible that the rule will deter some migrants from illegal border crossings to the U.S. from Mexico. However, it is also possible that the regulation will lead to an increase in the number of migrants who are detained and deported.

The regulation is still new, and it is too early to say what its long-term impact will be. However, it is clear that the regulation is a significant change in U.S. immigration policy.

Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on the U.S.-Mexico border immigration regulation to gauge public opinion about the Mexico border immigration regulations.

Highlights:

• The majority (62.66%) believe the Mexico border immigration regulation was necessary.
• 31.56% believe the regulation neglects the humanitarian needs of those seeking refuge.
• 18.08% favor improving access to legal migration (expanding refugee resettlement programs and establishing additional temporary work visa programs).

Initially, we asked the respondents whether they were aware of the Mexico border immigration regulation that will deny asylum to many migrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

Most respondents (64.59%) were aware of the regulation, and 35.41% were unaware.

In the next poll, we asked the respondents whether they agreed or disagreed with the regulations that deny asylum seekers to those who cross the border illegally. Results showed that 40.98% somewhat agreed with the regulation, while 36.67% strongly agreed.

On the other hand, 11.67% somewhat disagreed, and 2.09% strongly disagreed. Meanwhile, 8.59% of the respondents remained uncertain.

Should Regulation be Imposed on Illegal Immigration Across the U.S.-Mexico Border?

We asked our respondents about their opinions on the need for legislation regarding cross-border unlawful immigration.

Nearly half of the respondents (49.83%) stated that the policy supports the American legal system, which forbids illegal immigration, and another 40.09% stated that the regulation assures no security dangers posed by illegal immigrants.

In addition, 7.46% added that while illegal immigrants can have an unfair advantage over legal immigrants, the law ensures that immigrants do so daily and evenly, 1.46% said the regulation ensures that limited resources (e.g., social services) are allocated more effectively to legal than illegal immigrants, and 0.33% do not agree with the Mexico border immigration regulation.

On the other hand, we asked the respondents whether they disagreed with regulating border crossing for illegal immigrants.

31.56% said it disregards the humanitarian needs of those possibly fleeing persecution, violence, or other hardships and 22.51% said it conflicts with the right to asylum established in Article 14 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Furthermore, 16.56% said it denies human rights to those seeking asylum 16.21% agreed with the regulation to restrict illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, 13.16% of the respondents remained unsure.

Exploring a Balanced Approach to Illegal Immigration, Bridging Humanitarian Concerns

When we asked the respondents what other measures of solutions could be implemented to address the illegal border crossing while maintaining humanitarian concerns, 18.08% said increasing access to legal migration would be one significant solution.

In addition, 13.98% stated to enforce immigration laws strictly, 12.69% stated to address the primary drivers of migration—poverty, violence, and political and economic instability—and 11.47% said to increase public awareness of the risks associated with unauthorized cross-border movement.

Moreover, 11.16% said that governments should be able to deport illegal immigrants to safe third-party countries where they will not be persecuted, 10.92% said that reducing backlogs and providing adequate resources to asylum officers and immigration courts to improve the asylum process, and another 10.92% pointed out the government’s need for diplomatic efforts to address the root concerns of illegal crossing.

Respondents’ Views on Biden Administration’s Overall Approach to Immigration Policy and Border Control

In this poll, we surveyed our respondents for their opinions on the Biden Administration’s immigration policy and border control.

The results found that 28.89% said it was an average approach, followed by 26.83% who said it was a good approach, and 20.39% believed it was an excellent approach. In contrast, 10.97% said it was a poor approach and 3.76% said it was a terrible approach. Meanwhile, 9.16% of the respondents were unsure.

Lastly, our survey asked whether the regulations to deny entry of illegal immigrants into the U.S. was necessary. 35.93% said it was somewhat necessary and 26.73% said it was absolutely necessary. On the other hand, 19.9% said it was somewhat unnecessary and 7.23% said it was absolutely unnecessary. 10.21% remained uncertain.