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.

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