Joe Biden Disapproval Rating Creeps Up As Focus Shifts From Stimulus to Border

President Joe Biden's disapproval rating has seen an uptick, coming as focus shifts away from COVID-19 relief and moves toward the situation at the southern border.

According to FiveThirtyEight's tracker, based on weighted averages of different polls, his disapproval rating is at 40.2 percent. This had been 36 percent following his inauguration.

Real Clear Politics' tracker has his disapproval rating at 41.9 percent, having similarly started at 36 percent back in January.

The president still maintains majority approval though, with the two trackers putting this at 53.8 and 52.9 percent respectively.

Biden signed his COVID-19 relief package last week, following its passage through Congress. This included $1,400 relief checks, with payments starting to arrive with recipients.

The president and fellow Democrats have touted the package's passage, which has marked a political victory for Biden.

"The American Rescue Plan is already doing what it was designed to do: make a difference in people's everyday lives," Biden said on Monday.

At the same time, problems at the southern border have posed issues for the administration.

There is generally a surge in migrants at the border in spring as the weather warms up. This caused problems for Biden's predecessors.

Biden has faced criticism over his border policies from Republicans, who have suggested his stances are exacerbating issues.

Meanwhile, progressive Democrats have questioned the treatment of those at the border—taking issue with the conditions faced by unaccompanied minors.

There has been an increase in unaccompanied minors and raised numbers of these being detained. Some 3,000 minors have been detained beyond the legal limit of 72 hours. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has been brought in to assist with this issue.

Biden has pushed for a revision in immigration policies at the start of his presidency, rolling back stances taken by the previous administration.

In a press briefing on Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the administration was focused on finding solutions to the problems at the border.

Asked if the president believes the administration has a "handle on what's happening at the southern border," Psaki said: "We certainly do."

Ahead of outlining actions being taken, such as the deployment of FEMA and moves to increase facilities, she said: "You know, first, let me say that, like COVID—obviously a different issue, but we recognize this is a big problem—the last administration left us a dismantled and unworkable system. And like any other problem, we are going to do everything we can to solve it."

She added: "We're continuing to evaluate what additional steps can be taken to address the situation at the border."

While there have been these remarks regarding the last administration, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows questioned this criticism. Former President Donald Trump has also been among those to criticize Biden over the situation at the border. Both raised Biden's decision to cease the building of the border wall, which had been a focus of Trump's.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment on Biden's approval rating.