Americans are hardline on immigration reform new poll shows

Posted on Monday, May 03, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Larger Text

E-mail

25 Comments

RSS

Archives

The overwhelming majority of Americans think the country’s immigration policies need to be drastically changed with a much bigger emphasis on enforcement.

The New York Times/CBS poll shows 78 per cent want better border enforcement.

Three quarters said that, over all, illegal immigrants are a drain on the American economy because they don't pay taxes and use hospitals and schools. Only 20 per cent said the immigrants strengthened the economy by providing low-cost labor.

A majority of Americans support Arizona's new law even though they admit it may lead to racial profiling. In all fifty one per cent agree with the new Arizona law.

However, a majority of the Americans polled, 57 per cent say the federal government should write immigration law, not the states.

“The Arizona law is fine, but the federal government has to step in and come up with something — and they’re not doing it,” Pat Turkos, 64, a library worker and Republican from Baltimore told The New York Times.

She said: “I don’t think they should be stopped just walking down the street, only if they’re stopped for speeding, for example. I believe everybody has the right to come here, but I think they have to be made legal citizens.”

There is sharp geographic divide over immigration with East Coast and West Coast far more liberal and Midwest and South conservative .

Democrats are far more likely than Republicans or independents to support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants now in the country.

E-mail

25 comments

Previous Page 2 of 2 pages

IrishAndProud | May 04, 2010, 03:09 PM EDT

(cont'd)... It's precisely the kind of condescention and arrogance that you've just displayed, Dennis (not to mention your politics), that have RUINED the Democrat Party, this election year...and that are ruining Obama. He wasn't what people thought. Only a guy like you would make everything about race, and not the REAL ISSUES we all face.

Report abuse

IrishAndProud | May 04, 2010, 03:04 PM EDT

Dennis, as every poll indicates, Americans of ALL ages back Arizona to the HILT. Meanwhile, you try to use 2008 (two years ago) as some sort of current barometer of the national mood (have you seen Obama's RECENT poll numbers?), whilst chalking up the actions of a border state being overrun with illegals and their crime as 'a childish tantrum,' and chiding them to 'get in step' with YOUR outdated and failed agenda and leader.

Report abuse

DennisQ | May 04, 2010, 01:24 PM EDT

Political power in America has shifted from a fearful older generation to a more confident younger generation. This optimism is reflected in the election of a young Black guy with a strange name. Arizona voters, still sulking at the way Sen. McCain was thoroughly repudiated in the '08 election, are throwing a childish tantrum. But America is more confident about taking on big challenges to do the right thing. Arizona needs to get in step.

Report abuse

figtirish | May 04, 2010, 01:14 PM EDT

Americans want it both ways their lawns mowed and children bathed and not pay the piper

Report abuse

DennisQ | May 04, 2010, 12:36 PM EDT

The survey reflects xenophobia - fear of foreigners. Immigrants actually increase America's wealth; they don't detract from it. Xenophobia is part of the "us against the world" that Republicans are promoting to promote their wars. They also use xenophobia against Obama, on the theory that any Black guy who gets elected president has to be a foreigner.

Report abuse

IrishAndProud | May 04, 2010, 01:38 AM EDT

CitizenWhy, the midwest and south are economic POWERHOUSES (their sweat raises the crops and livestock that YOU subsist on, after all), and they're hardly 'scared'...unless you're talking about the flood of crime that illegals commit, on their territory...since they must first cross the south and midwest to get to the 'kind, tolerant' northeast, which then tells the south and midwest to allow it to happen. Don't condescend, kiddo.

Report abuse

IrishAndProud | May 03, 2010, 11:00 PM EDT

Where have all the pro-illegal libs (all three or four hard-cores) gone, all of a sudden? I haven't seen much of them, lately...literally. It's like they realized they'd stepped into a hornet's nest WAAAAY beyond their control, and basically backed away and took off. Articles like this certainly won't make it any easier. But, maybe now that I've said all that, they'll make a token appearance...

Report abuse

CitizenWhy | May 03, 2010, 11:00 PM EDT

Part of the problem: federal enforcement, that is, its lack. Border Patrol is under orders to focus primarily on possible terrorists, drug smugglers, coyotes (those who take fees to move illegals over border and could easily cooperate with terrorists). Stopping undocumented from entering country is a very low priority. ... P.S. Arab terrorists have targeted Mexico as a route into US.

Report abuse

CitizenWhy | May 03, 2010, 10:56 PM EDT

Midwest and south are economically insecure, scared, with military often the only job route for young.

Report abuse

Monsoonman | May 03, 2010, 10:48 PM EDT

Do you hear us yet? Ignore us and take us for granted at your own risk. We have had enough.

Report abuse

Previous Page 2 of 2 pages