A majority of U.S. Latinos (75%) describe the recent increase in the number of migrants seeking to enter the United States at its border with Mexico as a major problem or a crisis. A majority (74%) are also critical of the way the U.S. government is handling the situation at the southern border.
But Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanics to describe the migrant situation at the border as a crisis or to say it is leading to more crime. Both groups also disagree on the possible effects of several policy proposals on the migrant border situation.
Yet U.S. Latinos are just as likely as other Americans to follow the news about the migrant situation at the border, according to a survey of U.S. adults conducted Jan. 16-21 by Pew Research Center.
For more on the general public’s views about immigration, read “How Americans View the Situation at the U.S.-Mexico Border.”
In December 2023, the number of encounters with migrants crossing into the United States from Mexico reached its highest monthly total on record, according to government statistics. This peak is part of a broader growth in migrant encounters at the border in recent years.
Historically, a vast majority of these encounters have involved people migrating from countries in Latin America. But more recently, migrants from all over the world, including Russia, India and China, have made up a growing share of those crossing the border.
The survey also found that 51% of Hispanics say dealing with immigration should be a top priority for the president and Congress to address this year, though other areas like strengthening the economy (75%), improving the education system (66%) and improving the jobs situation (65%) are higher up on their list.
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