Seventy-three percent (73%) of American voters say that when someone is pulled over for a traffic violation, police officers should routinely check to see if that person is in the country legally. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 18% disagree while 9% are not sure.

If someone pulled over for a traffic violation is found to be in the country illegally, 62% of voters say that person should be deported. Seventeen percent (17%) disagree while 21% are not sure.

Thirty-four percent (34%) believe that such a policy might create a temptation for police officers to discriminate, but 58% disagree.

An earlier survey found that 77% of American adults do not think illegal immigrants should be allowed to receive a drivers license.

Only 11% believe that undocumented immigrants should receive public benefits and services such are rental and housing assistance.

These views are very similar to results found in state polls around the country including Virginia, Missouri, Texas, and Kentucky.

Younger voters are a bit less supportive of these enforcement policies than their elders, but 61% of voters under 30 believe that officers should check on the status of traffic violators. Fifty-six percent (58%) of those under 40 believe that illegal immigrants discovered in this manner should be deported.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of Republicans believe that police officers should routinely check the immigration status of traffic offenders. That view is shared by 67% of Democrats and 69% of those not affiliated with either major party.

Seventy percent (70%) of Republicans believe that undocumented immigrants found in this way should be deported. Only 12% of Republicans disagree. Democrats share this view by a 56% to 23% margin while unaffiliated voters agree by a 62% to 14% margin. These results are also similar to those found in state surveys including surveys of likely voters in the New Hampshire Republican and Democratic Presidential Primaries.

When it comes to the question of whether checking the immigration status of traffic violators creates a temptation to discriminate, Democrats are evenly divided. Only 16% of Republicans and 37% of unaffiliated voters see that policy as potentially discriminatory.

Survey data has consistently shown that, on immigration reform, voters are primarily concerned with enforcing the border and reducing the future flow of illegal immigrants. The “comprehensive” reform considered in the Senate last year was very unpopular precisely because voters did not believe it would reduce illegal immigration (in fact, a plurality of voters thought the legislation would lead to an increase in illegal immigration). More recently, voters opposed another Senate legislative proposal, the Dream Act,and believed it would attract more illegal immigrants in the future.

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