A majority of US voters support immigration reform that provides a pathway to full citizenship for the nation’s undocumented immigrants, according to polls released this week by bipartisan polling groups.
The bipartisan endorsement suggests that a deal on a bill is politically viable and would enjoy widespread support, according to polls by the Democratic-leaning Hart Research Associates and Republican-leaning Public Opinion Strategies.
The findings, reported by the Huffington Post, come at an opportune moment as the Obama administration and the Republican controlled Congress begin work on a bipartisan immigration reform plan, where the issue of a pathway to citizenship is likely to become a major sticking point.
More than half of the 1,003 people surveyed supported a pathway to citizenship, the polls found. A majority also said they wouldn't consider such a move an 'amnesty' - a potent term that has successfully derailed every effort at dealing with the estimated 11 million undocumented people currently living in the United States.
Most Republicans would permit that undocumented immigrants be given legal status but hesitate over any provision that would create a special avenue to citizenship, effectively ensuring they could not become citizens, or vote, without waiting for long periods.
Democrats also advocate for a lengthy road to full citizenship as well, with prospective candidates needing to meet requirements the include fines and extended wait times, but they want to create policies specific to the undocumented immigrants who are currently in the US as part of a final package.
The latest polls could convince hesitant Republicans it's not political suicide to vote for immigration reform. In fact the polls found that 53 percent of people would be more likely to vote for their member of congress if they supported reform, versus only 8 percent who said it would make them less likely.
'We hope these polls will be able to do just that,' said Jeb Bush, Jr., a member of the board of directors for National Immigration Forum. 'Hopefully they have this type of data to... allow them to say, listen, this is an issue that's great for our country, people support it around the country, it's good for the economy, it's good for border security.'
Requiring undocumented immigrants to pay taxes was a high priority to the largest percentage of people - 89 percent - while only 33 percent reportedly said it was a top goal to give legal status, but not citizenship, to undocumented immigrants already living in the country.
Guy Molyneux, a partner of Hart Research Associates, told the Huffington Post that it was 'striking' how closely Democrats and Republicans aligned on immigration issues. Republicans were more concerned than Democrats that future undocumented immigration waves be prevented, while Democrats were more concerned than Republicans about creating a path to citizenship.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seanomelb | Jan 21, 2013, 06:51 PM EST
OOOOh! Briano is back with his bogeyman or is it a cross he bears??
knugent15 | Jan 21, 2013, 09:42 AM EST
13 million people illegally come across the US border and we reward their illegal activity with a pathway to full citizenship!?!?!? What the hell is wrong with idiots who took part in this poll?!
pilib04 | Jan 20, 2013, 08:42 PM EST
Republicans just won't learn. They have decided to be the permanent minority party in the U.S.
BrianO | Jan 20, 2013, 10:37 AM EST
Why argue, the US experiment of self governess is dead, prepare for the worst, they are in control of your health, your income, they are coming for the means to defend yourself, and all religious are treated like morons, by flooding the US with people desparate and ignorant of the constitution you clear the way for the new king.
Blackduck | Jan 19, 2013, 09:55 PM EST
What is so hard to understand about the word illegal? Illegal still means you are breaking the law.
seanomelb | Jan 19, 2013, 05:53 PM EST
Asking for "back taxes " from people who entered the country illegally is ludicrous as they earned a pittance and were not eligible for most taxed programmes and they worked for slave wages because of their plight.It seems that to ask for such appears a little racist. Maybe if those involved registered wer given a green card and after a 3yr period granted citizenship. The "illegals" could then pay a $5,000 tax over some years (added to their income tax) as a penalty for entering the country undocumented. This would add $50 billion dollars (or so) to the treasury. they would also add billions to the economy by being documented and earning at least the minimum wage. The U.S. cannot wait for the racist and the ignorant to come on board. The sooner changes happen the quicker the dollars roll in and take the pressure off the rest of the people. "Action speaks louder than words" (and saves money).
irishpjk | Jan 19, 2013, 03:59 PM EST
wtf. I would love to know who was polled and just what neighborhoods they live in. As far as the Irish go they are a small part of the illegals in this country today, while those that came here the legal way are a large part. I would vote for a system that would give a three to five year work permit to illegals that have no criminal background. After their time was up on the permit they could be issued a green card leading to citizenship like anyone that did it the legal way. After that all services would cease for people who had not complied and deportation would be immediate, it would be here today gone tomorrow.
EphraimKibbey | Jan 19, 2013, 12:51 PM EST
2ndrepubalik - You write "European Americans are already a mino[ir]ty in th[ie]r own Country." Shouldn't that be NATIVE AMERICANS are already a minority in their own country? As you do unto others so shall it be done unto you! Ah, progress!
EphraimKibbey | Jan 19, 2013, 12:42 PM EST
I agree with Seanmor that no plan should require less of the current undocumented than has been required of those who legally became citizens under our current laws. I think that taking the undocumented out of the shadow world that they inhabit is the first and most important priority both for them and for the security of the Nation. Second, the path to citizenship should be difficult enough that those not yet here find the legal path more enticing than the illegal path. Next most important is to further reduce the incentive for illegal entry by creating legal alternatives such as the temporary or guest worker programs in other countries. I also agree that any plan should include spreading the joy of taxation and repayment of back taxes to those seeking to become full fledged Americans. Why should we lucky enough to have been born here have all the fun? Wow, its nice to have a real conversation about this and I am pleasantly surprised to find myself in agreement with so many folks. I guess you do not know what people REALLY think until you actually talk about the details of a subject.
2ndrepubalik | Jan 19, 2013, 12:39 PM EST
America is "Full" as is Europe. There is a Mass movement of people trying to get out of Africa and Asia and they are heading West to Europe, America , Canada and Australia.Why - to take jobs and seek to introduce thier own Religion ( Islam) as the prevailing religion - Sharia Law.The US is mad to consider letting more people in.It is no longer a frontier Country with wide open empty spaces.Any individual seeking to gain Citizenship should have to serve in the Military or the Civilian Service for a minimum of 3 years and be able to speak good English and accept , fully , the American Constitution with it's seperation of Church and State.European Americans are already a minoirty in thier own Country.After Nigeria , USA is the second largest African population in the World.The whole of South America would come streaming across the Mexican Border if it could. America is in real danger of being "Swamped" !
Sue Kellom | Jan 19, 2013, 12:26 PM EST
Nobody asked me! Irish immigrants came in through Ellis Island and many had to fight in a war
boydshield | Jan 19, 2013, 10:27 AM EST
Really? Not unless it's Mark Rubio's take on immigration. I like it, no one else has come up with anything. He is part of the solution. The first phase of Rubio’s plan would deport all undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes. It also calls for undocumented immigrants who have committed no crimes to come forward and be fingerprinted for national security, where they will be asked to pay back taxes and are certain to be determined fines. The second phase comes after the undocumented individual has remained in the US for a significant period of time without committing any crimes - and the border and workplace is secure. Now the legal immigrant would be granted the opportunity to apply for the existing legal immigration system.
Seanmor | Jan 19, 2013, 09:27 AM EST
Giving all ILLEGAL aliens, including those who refuse to learn Englih, full AMNESTY and easy citizenship sends the wrong message to others who plan to enter the U.S. ILLEGALLY in the hopes of some future hansome rewards. Such a plan is GROSSLY unfair to those of us who faithfully complied with all the immigration rules and HONORABLY served in the U.S. military, but were supjected to finger-printing, photographing and a 6-weeks investigation before qualifying for citizenship. This new plan is clearly a case of REWARDING the law breakers for their ILLEGAL activity.
BrianO | Jan 19, 2013, 09:10 AM EST
I say let everybody in, mao, stalin, bin laden look alikes are all welcome. maybe we can dump that stupid constituition and become a full fledged communist utopia, why waste time lets get to the end game today.