In June, the United States Senate kept fighting for more than a month before surrendering to public opinion on the topic of immigration. Having been burned once, the Senators were much quicker to capitulate when the Dream Act, a more limited immigration proposal, was brought up for a vote last Wednesday. The measure failed to generate enough support to even begin a formal debate.

That’s fine with most voters.

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that only 22% of voters support the proposal introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). The Dream Act would have given legal status to children of illegal aliens who complete two years of college or military service. That low level of support is very similar to support for the “comprehensive” reform measure that failed in June.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of all voters oppose the Dream Act concept. Republicans oppose it by a 5-to-1 margin and unaffiliateds are opposed by a 3-to-1 margin. Democrats are a bit more evenly divided—49% opposed and 31% in favor—but Nancy Pelosi’s party certainly doesn’t provide a base of support for the Dream Act.

Fueling opposition is a concern that passage of the bill would encourage more illegal immigration in the future. The view is held by 68% of the nation’s voters. The Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 15% disagree and 17% are not sure. Seventy-six percent (76%) of Republicans, 76% of unaffiliated voters, and 55% of Democrats believe that passage of the Dream Act would encourage more illegal immigration in the future.

The Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey also found that just 16% of voters believe that the children of illegal immigrants should qualify for in-state tuition rates at colleges and universities. Seventy-one percent (71%) disagree.

Throughout 2007, one of the biggest gaps between official Washington and the general public has been found on the issue of immigration. That gap was on full display in discussion of the Dream Act. Advocates of the legislation—like advocates of “comprehensive” reform in June—focused primarily on concerns of the illegal immigrants and finding ways to legalize their status.

However, surveys have repeatedly shown that when voters think of immigration reform, they think first and foremost about gaining control of the nation’s borders. Seventy-two percent (72%) say it is Very Important for “the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration.” Only 29% of voters take Durbin’s perspective and say it is Very Important for “the government to legalize the status of illegal aliens already in the United States.”

Since the federal government failed to act on immigration reform, state and local governments have taken matters into their own hands. Tough enforcement procedures enacted by Missouri Governor Mel Blunt have found strong voter support. A similar response was found in Arizona where the Maricopa Sherriff’s Office has taken strong steps to find and deport illegal aliens. North Carolina voters also have a strong preference for enforcing the border.

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