Most of what passes for political debate in Washington, DC and on campaign trails revolves around poll-tested positions on well established issues. The immigration debate caught America's political class off guard and most national politicians made an incorrect assessment concerning the nature of the debate.

The initial discussions in Washington implied a debate that was either pro-immigration or anti-immigration. Those who favored some form of legalization or earned citizenship were pictured in official Washington as pro-immigrant while those who favored border control were thought to be anti-immigrant (or perhaps racist).

However, Rasmussen Reports data shows an entirely different picture.

Our national survey conducted on May 1-2, 2006 found that 67% of Americans favored an enforcement first policy (just 18% are opposed).

Among those who favor enforcement-first, 59% also favor a national policy goal that welcomes all immigrants except national security threats, criminals, and those who would come here to live off the U.S. welfare system.

Among those who oppose an enforcement first policy, just 50% favor such a welcoming policy goal.

A similar pattern is found on the question of earned citizenship opportunities for illegal immigrants. Fifty-three percent (53%) of Americans support such a proposal. There is virtually no difference in support for these proposals between those who favor or oppose enforcement-first policies.

In other words, most Americans recognize that our nation is both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. They want to uphold both aspects of our national heritage. Just as important, they want political leaders to remember the second part of that heritage--that we're a nation of laws.

It goes without saying that immigration is hardly the only issue in today's environment where voters question whether politicians respect the rule of law (just 27% believe Members of Congress are more ethical than used-car salesmen).

There is one more piece of evidence that a welcoming policy is not incompatible with gaining control of the border and it comes from the small segment of the population (15%) that favors full amnesty for today's illegal immigrants. Even among this group, half (54%) favor an enforcement first policy.

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Other survey data found that American voters were more likely to favor a Congressional candidate who emphasizes enforcement of existing laws rather than one who prefers expanding legal job opportunities for foreign workers.

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, May 1, 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.

Crosstabs for the current survey are available for Premium Members.