No question it's a huge problem. The conservatives allowed themselves to be painted as "uncaring" "heartless" reactionaries when in addition to building the fence all those here illegally would have to go. Our country is now governed as much by "feelings" as it is by "reason".
The liberals have been very slick with their incrementalism and the way all the new boon doogles they propose are "for the babies", "for the poor", "for those that are left out".