When it comes to immigration, many think it's the issue that worries Americans the most, but the numbers tell a different story, as a new Gallup poll reveals just how important this issue really is to people and how it compares to other countries.

According to the results, only 8% of Americans consider immigration to be the country's main problem, placing the United States in a tie with Germany and Switzerland. In the 107 counties analyzed, the median was a mere 1%, a surprising figure given the media attention the issue usually receives.

The Gallup poll was conducted between March and October 2025, with approximately 1,000 participants in 107 countries and territories, and a margin of error of 2.4 to 4.7 percentage points.

What's happening in the United States?

In the United States, immigration has always been a complex issue, with decades of failed reform attempts. During his first presidential campaign, Donald Trump placed immigration at the center of his agenda, singling out Mexico and promising to deport undocumented immigrants with violent criminal records.

More than 10 years later, the issue remains a topic of public debate. Trump is pushing his deportation agenda through ICE and DHS, even in states governed by Democrats. The shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of DHS agents in Minneapolis last month reignited the discussion about the need to reform or even abolish the agency.

Negotiations between Democrats and Republicans to fund and reform the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remain stalled, just days before the deadline. Proposals include banning the use of masks, establishing a uniform code of conduct, and reviewing court-ordered detentions.

Despite immigration being a central issue during Trump's two terms, 60% of Americans disapprove of his handling of the matter, according to a recent NBC News poll.

How do they view immigration in other countries?

Internationally, concerns about immigration vary widely. The United Kingdom tops the list, with 21% of citizens considering it the biggest national problem. The Netherlands and Cyprus follow, at 13%. Among voters of the Reform UK party, this concern reaches 48%, while other right-wing parties prioritize issues such as the economy and security.

Supporters of the UK's three main parties—Labour, Conservatives, and Reform UK—show greater concern than voters of right-wing parties in other European countries, although the gap is most pronounced within Reform UK. Even Britons with no party affiliation express higher concerns than non-partisan voters in other countries, demonstrating that perceptions of immigration depend as much on political context as on ideology.