So says a new poll.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rising anxiety has pushed immigration close to the economy in the public view of the most important problems facing this country, according to an AP-Ipsos poll. Those issues ranked slightly behind war in Iraq and elsewhere.
Immigration's rise in the latest survey about the nation's top problems suggests the public is keeping close watch on the immigration debate in Congress and reaction around the country.
I imagine it's on a lot of Congressional minds, too, despite the recess. And there's that so-called strike coming up, which will elevate the concern even more.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected to turn out in cities across the country Monday to support immigrant rights.
Rallies, marches and vigils are planned in 102 cities, including Chicago, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Community Change.
The largest turnouts are expected in Washington, where a rally is planned at the Washington monument, and in New York City, where three marches will converge at City Hall in lower Manhattan.
What remains to be seen is just how smart are some of the fringe groups getting behind the immigration movement and pumping it up. An orderly American-looking protest could go a long way to settling things down. But if our city streets fill up with Mexican flags, or any serious unrest breaks out, few Americans are going to stand down.
Then the Congress would be under immense pressure to show some results. And the results they currently appear willing to deliver may not be what Americans have in mind.
The open borders crowd often seems so in love with Europe. All of Europe has closed borders, despite the EU. Would it really be such a paradigm shift if the US follows suit and does something serious as regards the Southwestern border? On the one hand perhaps it would. But with a post 9/11 mindset, I'm not so sure America isn't ready for that shift.
There is no precedent for a sovereign nation to not control its borders. America has been one of the few exceptions. And I doubt many Americans will ultimately lose sleep should that exception go away.
Control the border and the Congress could probably do whatever it wants to on immigration reform. Fail to act and come next election, Republicans may well have a magic bullet if they take the right position.
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