The poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for Newsweek found that 49 percent of Americans believe migrants are the most to blame if they are injured while trying to cross the U.S. border, with 17 percent placing responsibility on the federal government and 13 percent on border states’ governments. Only 7 percent blamed the Mexican government, while 14 percent were unsure. The poll surveyed 1,500 eligible U.S. voters in March, revealing a strong sentiment among Americans on the issue of migrant injuries.
The number of migrants being injured while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has increased significantly, especially with the installation of 30-foot steel bollard barriers by the Trump administration. Recent incidents include 11 people injured after falling from the wall in California and a woman’s death near the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Immigration has become a central issue in the upcoming presidential election, with President Biden and former President Trump in disagreement over border security. Biden has criticized Republican lawmakers for not supporting efforts to address the surge in illegal crossings, while Trump has vowed to secure the border if re-elected.
The poll also revealed that a majority of Americans recognize a migrant crisis and believe the U.S. does not currently have control over the border. More than half support the construction of a wall along the southern border, despite concerns raised by hospitals in California and Texas about the devastating injuries suffered by migrants falling from the wall. Advocates for migrants’ rights blame the government’s approach to immigration policy, including the construction of the 30-foot border wall, which they argue increases the risk of injuries and deaths.
Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee’s U.S./Mexico border program, has criticized the 30-foot border wall as increasing the likelihood of life-altering injuries among migrants attempting to cross. Masih Fouladi, executive director of the California Immigrant Policy Center, believes the rise in injuries is the result of an inhumane immigration policy. Reports from hospitals and the Mexican government confirm the dangers faced by migrants, with 29 Mexican nationals dying last year while trying to cross into the San Diego region. Despite efforts to address the issue, injuries and fatalities among migrants remain a significant concern.
Overall, the poll findings indicate a complex attitude among Americans towards migrant injuries, with blame being placed on the migrants themselves, the federal government, and border states’ governments. The ongoing construction of the border wall and the surge in illegal crossings have heightened concerns about the safety of migrants attempting to enter the U.S. Advocates for migrants’ rights continue to highlight the dangers posed by current immigration policies and call for a more humane approach to address the challenges faced by those seeking to cross the border. The upcoming presidential election will likely further elevate the issue of immigration and border security, with potential implications for future policies and actions to protect vulnerable migrants.
