Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans say that the immigration issue is "very important" in terms of how they will vote this November. Another 29% say it is somewhat important.

The Rasmussen Reports national opinion survey taken the night after the President's nationally televised address also highlighted a common misconception about the immigration debate.

Media commentaries often suggest that support for an enforcement first policy is an option supported primarily by conservatives. In fact, 67% of political moderates support such an approach. That's virtually indistinguishable from the 66% of conservatives who support for enforcement-first approach. Fifty-two percent (52%) of self-identified liberals also hold this view.

Most voters who hold an enforcement-first perspective also favor a national policy that welcomes all immigrants (except national security threats, criminals, and welfare seekers).

Those results are consistent with earlier research that show most Americans recognize our nation as both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.

Fifty-three percent (53%) believe that strict enforcement of immigration laws and control of the border would help the economy. Just 21% believe strict enforcement would hurt the economy while 14% say it would have no impact.

Data released separately shows that just 39% of Americans agree with President Bush's approach on the immigration issue. An equal number disagree.

Other data from the survey shows that Democrats now enjoy a 15-point advantage on the Generic Congressional Ballot. That's up from a 10-point lead two weeks ago.

These results are generally similar to earlier surveys on the immigration issue. A separate survey conducted the night of President Bush's speech found that just 27% of Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction.

A look at all of our research on this topic makes it clear that neither political party has yet developed policy or rhetoric that reflect an understanding of the nuances of the immigration debate. We have recently released immigration related polling data on May 3, April 26, April 11, April 7, and April 1.

Earlier surveys on immigration have found support for building a barrier along the Mexican border and positive attitudes towards citizen patrols along the border. Another survey found that most Americans consider current immigration laws a threat to both national security and the economy. Three-fourths of all Americans believe it is too easy for people from other countries to enter the United States.

Attitudes towards immigration do not fall neatly along typical partisan, demographic, or ideological lines. For this reason, among others, the immigration issue ultimately has the potential to shake up the current partisan alignment in the nation.

However, the impact of the issue varies widely by region. In several southwestern states, the issue is considered more important than the situation in Iraq by roughly half of all voters.