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46% Prefer Candidate Who Favors Barrier along Mexican Border
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A Rasmussen Reports national opinion survey asked Americans to choose between two hypothetical candidates with differing positions on the immigration issue.

"One candidate favors building a barrier along the Mexican border and forcing illegal aliens to leave the United States. The other candidate favors expanding the ways that foreign workers can legally get jobs in the United States."

Forty-six percent (46%) of Americans said that they prefer the candidate with the harder line on illegal aliens while 38% opt for the candidate who wants to expand legal opportunities for foreign workers to find jobs.

However, those who say the immigration issue is very important in determining their vote prefer the pro-enforcement candidate by a much larger margin, 67% to 23%. This suggests that the short-term political advantage on the immigration issue lies with those who want a tougher enforcement policy.

Fifty percent (50%) of Americans say the immigration issue is very important. Another 32% say it is somewhat important.

An earlier survey found that two-thirds of Americans believe it doesn't make sense to debate new immigration laws until we can first control our borders and enforce existing laws. That same survey found that 40% of Americans favor "forcibly" requiring all 11 million illegal immigrants to leave the United States.

While the short-term benefit may accrue to those who favor a tougher enforcement policy, the long-term implications of the issue are less clear. At the moment, neither political party enjoys unity within its own ranks on the issue. Politicians from both sides are struggling with the nuances of the issue.

Also, it's important to note very significant regional differences of intensity surrounding this issue. Earlier this year, Rasmussen Reports state-by-state surveys found that people in the Southwest tended to view the issue as important as the War in Iraq. However, those in New England considered immigration a far less important issue.

The survey found that a majority (54%) oppose the current U.S. law that grants automatic citizenship to children of illegal aliens born in the United States. Thirty-six percent (36%) favor this policy.

Among those who say immigration is a very important voting issue, 63% oppose automatic citizenship.

Just 27% of Americans believe the U.S. should provide foreign aid to help create jobs in Mexico.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge™ Premium Service for Election 2008 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a Presidential election.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.

Survey of 1,000 Adults
April 1-2, 2006

Election 2006 Hypothetical

Candidate who favors Barrier

46%

Candidate who favors more legal jobs for foreign workers

38%

Should Child Born to Illegal Alien Automatically Be U.S. Citizen?

Yes

36%

No

54%

Should US provide foreign aid to help create jobs in Mexico?

Yes

27%

No

59%

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