Election 2006 brought a lot of change to American politics, but little has changed on the issue of immigration. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of voters continue to believe that securing the borders is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already in the country.
On Friday, the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to build a 700-mile barrier along the Mexican border, bowing to public opinion as an election draws near.
Strict sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants is the most popular of four possible immigration reforms measured in a recent Rasmussen Reports survey.
Immigration is an issue clearly on voters’ minds according to the results of a recent Rasmussen Reports poll.
News that House Republicans plan to hold public hearings on the immigration issue rather than move quickly to negotiate compromise legislation with the Senate confirms a tremendous shift in what passes for conventional wisdom in Washington, DC.
Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans agree with President Bush's approach on the immigration issue. An equal number disagree, while 22% are not sure.
Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans say that the immigration issue is "very important" in terms of how they will vote this November.
Support for an enforcement first policy on immigration tops the 60% mark in all but one of 33 states polled by Rasmussen Reports over the past month.
Most of what passes for political debate in Washington, DC and on campaign trails revolves around poll-tested positions on well established issues.
Nationwide rallies, protests, and boycotts on Monday had little if any impact on public opinion.
Heading into a day of planned protests and boycotts for immigrant rights, just 24% of American voters have a favorable opinion of the people who have recently marched and protested for immigrant rights in major cities.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean even stated that enforcement of the border is his party's top priority. As a result, Democrats appear to have won round two of the debate among the general public--42% now trust Dean's party more on this issue while 35% trust the GOP.
In 25 of the 27 states, a majority of voters favored a barrier (the only exceptions were Vermont with 44% in favor of a barrier and Massachusetts with 49% support). In a dozen states, the number in favor of a barrier topped 60%.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national opinion survey found that 37% of Americans now trust Republicans more than Democrats on the issue of immigration.
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.
Two-thirds (68%) of Americans believe it is possible to reduce illegal immigration while just 20% disagree. The belief that the issue could be addressed adds to the intensity of the debate.
As Congress considers legislation to reform the immigration process, the nation remains divided on how to proceed.
Views on Immigration by State - January 2006
