Many swing voters fear President Joe Biden isn't adequately discouraging illegal immigrants who are trying to cross the southern border, and they also are concerned about the growing number of children being held in detention facilities, Axios reports.
The comments come from an Engagious/Schlesinger swing-voter focus group commissioned by the website.
The Biden administration has been turning back families at the border who have no documentation, but has not done so with undocumented minors traveling alone — a growing problem that has led to overcrowded facilities and more than 3,000 young detainees staying past the time allowed by U.S. law.
Those participating voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020.
Focus group member Rob K. from Minnesota pointed out that Biden's policies appear to be "no different" from Trump's and "they're still putting these kids literally in cages" — something Democrats charged the Trump administration with during his presidency, though the Trump White House said pictures showing children behind chain-link fencing were actually made during the Obama administration.
Kimberly M., a teacher from Arizona ,said Biden is "not being firm enough, to say, 'Hey, people. It's not that we're against immigration, but ... if you send your kids or you try to come here, we literally have nowhere to house you.'"
"I'm not sure that the countries that are sending their children up here are getting the message," Connie B. from Michigan, said.
Janet H. from Arizona added that migrant children arriving at the U.S. border "aren't our problem" and that America "cannot be the world's savior."
But Republican lawmakers' recent tour of the border to bring attention to the situation — which the White House has refused to label a "crisis" — did nothing to lure the focus group members into their camp.
Frank R. from Florida, an immigrant himself, said he thinks Republicans are taking advantage of the situation "to be able to get political gain," adding that Biden "has bigger fish to fry. The president should focus on COVID-19 instead," he said.
David C. from Texas agreed that the GOP is simply looking to get back control in Washington, while Kimberly M. and Connie B. favored foster parent programs for the children.
The two sessions were held March 16, about two months into Biden's presidency, but none of those participating expressed "buyer's remorse" for having voted for the Democrat over incumbent Republican President Donald Trump, Axios reported.
Participants from the nation's most competitive swing states did have some issues with Biden, including concerns about unintended consequences from the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law by Biden last week.
Eleven of the 12 members taking part said they were worried about inflation and the national debt. Seven supported the new child tax credit created by the bill, while only one believed it should be made permanent.
"Swing voter support for Biden’s border policies is like sand falling through an hourglass," said Engagious president Rich Thau, moderator of the focus groups. "Right now there’s a reservoir of goodwill, but it’s depleting as time passes and impatience grows."
Axios noted that the focus group is not as statistically significant as polls, but added "the responses show how some voters in crucial states are thinking and talking about national priorities and expectations for Biden."
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