Migrant Caravans March to the Border, Americans Blame Biden
November 22, 2024Key Takeaways
- Migrant caravans are heading to the border, hoping to enter before Trump starts his second term.
- Americans fume at Democratic leaders like Biden and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston for prioritizing illegals over their own citizens.
- Voters point to the murder of Laken Riley, missing migrant children, and gang activity like that of Tren de Aragua as unacceptable.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
3,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
1 Day
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
Discussion of the border has reignited in the aftermath of Laken Riley’s murderer being convicted on all counts. Riley’s death is widely viewed as emblematic of the Biden administration’s failure to protect the border and the American people.
For many, Riley’s story exemplifies the threat of an “open border” approach. Americans are frustrated with the administration’s unwillingness to stop the border crisis and, in the case of Riley’s murderer, even providing free resources to illegals. Her tragic death has become a rallying cry for stricter immigration enforcement, with voters demanding:
- Harsher penalties for illegal migrants who commit crimes.
- Policies that prioritize public safety over migrant sympathy.
Migrant Caravans Try to Cross
Recent reports of migrant caravans approaching the U.S. border hoping to cross before Trump takes office elicit various reactions. Many say it’s confirmation of Biden’s negligent policies, saying migrants know they have a better chance to get in while he’s in office.
Public Sentiment
- Many Americans are anxious about the strain on resources and law enforcement if large migrant caravans try to cross. The perception of a "border invasion" spurs calls for immediately shutting down the border.
- Progressives emphasize the dire conditions prompting these migrations, advocating for compassionate responses. They feel the U.S. has a responsibility to help address root causes.
- Prominent figures like Trump highlight the caravans to underscore the need for robust border security measures. He says this is a cause for mass deportations when he retakes office.
- In areas directly threatened by caravans, local leaders voice concerns about the impact on their communities. For instance, Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary policies following the arrival of migrant boats.
Outrage at Democratic Leadership
The Biden administration faces intense scrutiny over border security, particularly the issue of unaccompanied migrant children. Reports of 400,000 missing migrant children reveal the accountability crisis in federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
🚨BREAKING: HHS Secretary is NOT ABLE to account for the over 400,000 missing children! pic.twitter.com/wa4e68Zj7P
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) November 20, 2024
Adding to voter frustration are local officials like Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who pledged to obstruct federal deportation efforts by deploying the Denver police. This angers voters nationally as well as Denver residents who are tired of leaders who refuse to protect their own people from invasion, crime, and economic burden.
What the ACTUAL FUCK IS WRONG with our Denver fucking "mayor"?
— Dr. Vinnie Boombatz, America 1st Patriot 🇺🇸 (@flyboy0255) November 21, 2024
Denverites will NOT be stopping them. If anything we will be on the side of the feds on this one.
Fuck Mike Johnston. WE THE PEOPLE will
peacefully SPEAK OUT against our "government" on this. https://t.co/sOX6TdYdWe
Voters express:
- Anger at local officials pledging to defy federal authority regarding deportations.
- Belief that Democratic leaders are undermining national sovereignty.
Crime, Gangs, and Public Safety
Illegal immigration as a cause of rising crime rate is a dominant theme in border discussions. High-profile cases like Laken Riley’s murder and growing concerns about gang activity permeate conversations. The Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, now operating in 16 U.S. states, has become a focal point of anger about:
- Dangerous criminals being allowed and helped into American communities.
- The inability and unwillingness of current politicians to prevent such threats.
Moderates echo these concerns but also highlight the complexities of balancing crime prevention with the economic benefits of migrant labor.
- The Tren de Aragua (TdA), a violent Venezuelan gang, has expanded its operations into multiple states, infamously taking over apartment complexes in Aurora, CO.
- The gang is involved in gun smuggling, robbery, assault, and sex and human trafficking, with specific crimes reported in places like Queens, New York, where gang members dominate areas such as Roosevelt Avenue.
- Jose Ibarra, Laken Riley’s murderer, is a member of this gang, bringing the issue of their presence to national attention.
Economic Strains on the Border Debate
While public safety dominates the conversation, economic implications are also high on Americans’ priority list. Around 45% of U.S. farm workers are illegal migrants and the agricultural sector faces potential labor shortages if deportations escalate.
- 55% of Americans worry about disruptions in food production and rising costs.
- Farmers fear operational collapses if there are mass deportations.
However, many conservatives criticize these concerns among liberals and high-income Americans. They say this group is happy to treat migrants like near-slave laborers to maintain low-wage food and service industry workers.
Conservatives say safety is a higher priority than low-wage labor. They say it’s equally racist, if not more, for liberals to decry removing migrant laborers who are willing to work for low wages, as those who want to protect American sovereignty.
Kind of wild that every lib argument for illegal immigration inevitably advocates for quasi-slavery so they can have cheaper vegetables. https://t.co/NOd83MX2Sf
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 21, 2024
Expectations for Trump
Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House heightens voter expectations for rectifying the border and tightening immigration policies. Supporters demand this administration restore “law and order” by:
- Enforcing mass deportation policies.
- Securing the border with a wall and preventing continued illegal crossings.
While conservatives express optimism, progressives fear severe actions could worsen humanitarian crises. Moderates are cautious, torn between supporting stronger enforcement and avoiding economic fallout.