Immigration polling tells Congress to act

The Partnership for a New American Economy, the Business Roundtable and the National Association of Manufacturers are releasing a new poll today on immigration reform. A national poll of 1000 likely voters plus polls in 26 states of 500-855 likely voters conducted by a GOP firm, Harper Polling, found high support even among Republicans for immigration reform. The findings, provided to Right Turn, suggest the anti-immigration forces are loud but in the distinct minority. (States surveyed were Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana,  Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.)

The survey of likely voters finds, for example, that the vast majority of voters believe the system is in need of fixing.  86% of Republicans believe Congress should take action to fix the immigration system. 79% of Independents agree. The GOP excuse for not acting – the president won’t enforce the law – is not fooling anyone. Some 72% reject that argument, including 2 out of 3 Republicans and 69% of Independents. The idea of waiting for reform is also a loser with 80% of voters wanting Congress to act this year, with nearly half calling it “very important” they act this year. Some 77% of Republicans say it is important that Congress act, while 53% say it is very important. And 74% of Independents believe it is important for Congress to act this year.

As for the substance of reform the so-called principles set out by House leadership — secure our borders, expand visas for high-skill workers and farm workers, provide an employer verification program, allow DREAMers to earn citizenship, and provide visas to live and work here legally to undocumented immigrants without a criminal record who pay penalties and back taxes – get support from 60 percent of voters.  Among Republicans 54% support such an immigration reform plan with only 37% who oppose. Among Independents, 62% support and only 26% oppose.

In short, two-thirds of voters and 54 percent of Republicans support legal status for undocumented immigrants. Republicans would rather vote for a presidential candidate in 2016 that is from a party that supports reform (71%) than one from a party that opposes it (15%).

Read the full article.