California readers may be interested to learn that Americans say immigration is the most important concern facing the nation, according to a new Gallup poll. The survey, which was conducted between Nov. 1 and Nov. 11, includes responses collected both before and after the midterm elections.
Gallup reports that 21 percent of survey respondents said that illegal immigration was currently the top problem in the U.S. In October, only 13 percent of respondents said immigration was the country’s biggest concern. However, in July, 22 percent of respondents named immigration as their top concern, which was an all-time high. The issue’s return to the top of the poll is likely connected to the Trump administration’s focus on the caravan of Central American immigrants that were making their way to the U.S. border in the weeks leading up the midterms. President Trump called the caravan a “national emergency” and ordered 5,000 troops to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal crossings.
Among Republicans, 37 percent named immigration as their top concern. In comparison, only 18 percent of independents and 10 percent of Democrats said immigration was their No. 1 issue. Meanwhile, 18 percent of Americans said that dissatisfaction with the government was their top problem, 11 percent named health care and 9 percent named unifying the country. Thirty-five percent said they are satisfied with the direction the country is headed.
Immigration law is complex and subject to change. An individual in need of a green card or visa could help their situation by working with an immigration attorney. The attorney could help prepare the application and represent a client’s rights and interests during immigration hearings. If an immigrant has been detained or threatened with deportation, an attorney could review the case and lay out some potential solutions.