Pressure from the immigration crisis has caused Californians to fall off of their progressive high horse. Citizens from all political and demographic groups agree that the southern border is not secure and that immigrants are a burden on the country. This is notable even among Democratic voters, of whom an overwhelming 62% see asylum seekers as a burden and 46% see insecurity. The result is even more prominent among Hispanic (for 63% immigrants are a burden and 56% say the border is not safe) and black respondents, who have an even more unfavorable opinion about both situations (69% and 60%, respectively).
The most notable thing about this survey is that the criticism is universal. It doesn't matter if the responses come from Democrats or Republicans; from black, white or Hispanic voters, from younger or older generations. The majority of Californians are very critical of a situation that affects them very directly as a border state. The results obtained by the Berkeley Institute of Government Studies clearly indicate that the massive and uncontrolled entry of immigrants and the "catch and release" policy from the Biden administration is a serious problem for Californians, including Democratic voters. This message contrasts with the actions by Governor Gavin Newsom, who has just expanded free health coverage to illegal immigrants, which will even cover gender-affirming treatments.
72% consider immigrants a 'burden' on the country
Respondents seeing immigrants as "a burden" on the country stands out especially. In a state characterized by sanctuary cities, which welcome illegal migrants with open arms, citizens have said "enough" to this situation. Seventy-two percent consider immigration a burden, compared to 22% who disagree. Even two in three Democratic voters perceive it that way, including 21% who call it "a major burden." Among Republicans, the number of critics reaches 96%, with just 3% who do not consider immigrants a burden.
This perception is shared by minority ethnic groups, especially Asians, among whom 72% consider illegal immigrants a burden. Among Hispanics, 63% are critical, a figure that rises to 69% among black respondents. White voters are even more forceful: 79% see asylum seekers as a burden. By age, young people between 18 and 29 years old are the only ones who consider that illegal immigrants are not a burden, falling just one point shy of a majority. This changes among older voters, peaking with those over 65 years of age, among whom 86% perceive people who cross the border irregularly as a burden.
65% believe that the border is not secure
The first question in the survey asked about the perception of security on the border. The answer is overwhelming: 65% of those surveyed indicated that the border with Mexico is not safe. A slight plurality of those who declare themselves supporters of Joe Biden agree. Forty-six percent of respondents say the border is unsafe, with 45% who disagree and 9% undecided. Democrats are clearly divided regarding this statement, with those who consider the border to be safe and those who do not tied at 44%. Among Republicans, there is hardly any debate, with 92% saying the border is unsafe, compared to a minuscule 6% who see the border as well protected.
Nor does perception improve depending on the ethnic group of the respondents. Surprisingly, black respondents, considered a bastion of Democratic voters, are especially critical of what is happening at the border: 60% believe that the border is not secure, compared to 28% who disagree. Among Hispanics, 56% fear the border situation, while 32% consider it safe. These results mirror those of Asians and Pacific Islanders (55%-33%). White respondents are the most critical group (67%).
By age, the feeling of insecurity grows as respondents get older, although each segment mostly considers that the border is not safe. Californians between 18-29 years old are the ones who see the situation best, and yet, 44% are not satisfied, compared to 39% who feel safe. Those over 65, however, overwhelmingly lean toward criticism, with 71% of those surveyed claiming the border is unsafe.
Most say federal laws are too permissive
The poll also questions what voters think about federal legislation on immigrants trying to cross the border. In this case the results are closer, although 36% of voters consider that they are too permissive, compared to 22% who consider them too harsh and 23% who consider them more or less correct. Democrats on this occasion are seriously divided, although the majority see that the rules are too restrictive (33%), while 17% see them as too soft and 29% say more or less correct. This is exactly the opposite of Republicans, who are very clear (70%) that they restrictions are too lax, with only 14% seeing them as correct and a marginal 4% saying they are too strict. This time, there are also more black and Hispanic respondents who see federal regulations as too soft (33% in both cases).
Would stricter regulations reduce the entry of illegal immigrants?
Where there is notable division among Californians is over the question of whether imposing more restrictive asylum laws would reduce the number of irregular immigrant entries. Forty-five percent of Golden State voters think so, compared to 42% who think otherwise. In this case, more than half of the Democrats (51%) surveyed believe that it would not be effective, compared to a notable 34% who would see it as something positive. Republicans overwhelmingly (65%) believe in stricter rules.
Hispanics and Asians are the ethic groups that most broadly favor toughening legislation, in both cases with 46% of respondents, even above whites (45%). Black respondents are a little more reluctant (44%), although they are more are in favor of a more restrictive regulatory framework. By age, those under 40 see the laws as too restrictive, while those over 49 consider them mostly too lax.
