Americans today are most likely to name immigration the nation’s biggest problem, but polling history suggests the alarm may have a limited shelf life. …
Past polling shows a history of dramatic spikes in immigration concern, each coinciding with political flare-ups over the issue. The measure leapt beyond 15 percent twice in 2006, while Congress debated increased penalties for illegal immigration; and again to 10 percent in 2010, after Arizona passed tough anti-illegal immigration laws.
But in each case, immigration concerns proved rather fickle; interest quickly sputtered as proposals died or other issues elbowed immigration out of the headlines. CONT.
Gregory Barber, NPR News