Posted on 05/31/2007 2:15:22 PM PDT by Daralundy
There’s a simple reason the immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate is unpopular with voters—the general public doesn’t believe it will reduce illegal immigration. And, in the minds of most voters, that’s what immigration reform is all about.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 16% of American voters believe illegal immigration will decline if the Senate bill is passed. Seventy-four percent (74%) disagree. That figure includes 41% who believe the Senate bill will actually lead to an increase in illegal immigration.
If voters had a chance to improve the legislation, 75% would “make changes to increase border security measures and reduce illegal immigration.” Just 29% would” make it easier for illegal immigrants to stay in the country and eventually become citizens.”
Voters who believe that the current bill will succeed in reducing illegal immigration favor its passage by a 51% to 31% margin. Those who believe the bill will lead to even more illegal immigration oppose its passage by a 70% to 12% margin.
Overall, despite a major push by the President and others over the past week, support for the Senate bill has not increased at all. In polling conducted last night (Tuesday, May 29), 26% of voters favor passage of the bill. That’s unchanged from the 26% support found in polling conducted the previous Monday and Tuesday. Forty-eight percent (48%) of voters remain opposed.
Eighty-one percent (81%) of American voters are closely following news stories about the issue, including 37% who are following it Very Closely. Those with the highest interest in the issue oppose the legislation by a 3-to-1 margin (69% to 23%). By a 55% to 15% margin, those following the story Very Closely believe the bill will lead to increased levels of illegal immigration.
Unaffiliated voters are now more opposed to the bill than either Republicans or Democrats. Among those who don’t identify with either of the major parties, 22% support the Senate bill while 57% are opposed.
Some supporters of the bill have tried to suggest it is politically popular by citing polling data for selected features of the bill. However, President Bush yesterday implicitly acknowledged the strong public opposition to the bill by stating that elected officials will need political “courage” to pass the measure. Senator Jon Kyl (R), a major supporter of the legislation, acknowledged in interviews that the lack of support measured by Rasmussen Reports is an accurate reflection of the public mood.
Rasmussen Reports polling, like that of other firms, has found that Americans may be willing to accept a compromise proposal that includes legalizing the status of the 12 million illegal aliens already living in the United States. Sixty-five percent (65%) said they would accept such a compromise provided that it accomplished the primary goal of reducing illegal immigration. However, arguing about the nuances of amnesty, guest-worker programs and other provisions will do nothing to build popular support without proof that the government is serious about controlling the border.
Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters believe it is Very Important for “the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration.”
Many times, voters doubt that reasonable alternatives exist. But, 68% of Americans believe it is possible to reduce illegal immigration while just 20% disagree. A New York Times/CBS News poll found a similar result--82% believe the federal government could do more to reduce illegal immigration.
The belief that the issue could be addressed adds to the frustration of those who oppose the Senate bill. Sixty-six percent (66%) believe it doesn't make sense to debate new immigration laws until we can first control our borders and enforce existing laws.
Other recent surveys have found that Senator John McCain (R), a strong proponent of the Senate bill, has slipped to third place in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination. President Bush’s Job Approval ratings have fallen to the lowest levels of his Administration since the immigration debate began dominating the news.
It will be 4th place as soon as Fred Thompson declares his candidacy . . . or lower.
Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
I have never heard even the most shameless shills for the bill claim that will actually reduce illegal immigration in the future.
And on only 29% thinks that it makes it easier for someone to become a citizen? WTF? That is the explicit intent of the bill.
At least overwhelming majorities of people want enforcement stepped up. Senate GOP-- are you freakin' listening?????
The legislation is very important. It’s ramifications are far reaching. It must be stopped.
reduce 16% ~ it will increase the illegals 16% the first month it is enacted!!!!
Telephone poll
The latest telephone poll taken by the Florida Governor’s office, asked whether people who live in Florida think illegal immigration is a serious problem:
29% of respondents answered: “Yes, it is a serious problem.”
71% of respondents answered: “No es una problema seriosa.”
And the Senate still doesn’t care.
I suspect that 14% of those people know better and are trying to convince the rest of us. The other 2% are just plain stupid.
Wow. No wonder the President is so off kilter when he tries to defend this bill. He never knew he lived in a country where 75% of the population is comprised of ignorant, racist yahoos that don't want what is best for this union! I'm sure he knew about the yahoos' prejudices that helped him get elected to office, but he must have believed the more open minded and liberal of society would be more receptive. Instead half of them have joined the rest of us bigots.
Yes, I'm mocking him and all of his blue blooded compatriots that are trying to ram this down our throats.
Suggestion to Rasmussen the next time they poll this issue—
Add this question: Have you contacted your Senators or Representative about this issue?
The answers would be interesting. And perhaps telling.
Don't bet on it. The House will come up with its own version or make a number of amendments to it to make it more Latino/labor union friendly. Then they will work out the differences in conference. It is still 50/50 that comprehensive immigration reform will go thru. The Dems primary objective is to get the 12 to 20 million legalized status. They can make changes later bit by bit.
The immigration reform group I am a member of has been up on the Hill the two weeks prior the the recess. I will be joining them next week with the target being House members. The House remains our only real hope. The Senate is a done deal.
This has to be wrong! Didn’t these guys read the poll in the NYT the other day?
Anyone with an IQ bigger than their age will understand that the Immigration bill would increase the number the of "Illegal" immigrants coming over the border....of course they will be legal 24 hours after they apply for a Provisional Z Visa.
What an absolute fraud on real Americans!!
Written so as to mislead!! The facts without misleading percentages and using the 16% figure in the headline...
8% of voters believe that the current bill will succeed in reducing illegal immigration and favor its passage;[51% x 16=8.2%].
58.8% of voters believe the bill will lead to even more illegal immigration and oppose its passage; [70% x 84=58.8%]
“This has to be wrong! Didn’t these guys read the poll in the NYT the other day?”
They don’t care. If they get voted out of office (and many GOP senators will)...
They will go on to cushy jobs with the big businesses who bought their vote, so these businesses will have cheap labor and depress leagal american wages.
No, 29% don't think the bill makes it easy *enough*.
“However, President Bush yesterday implicitly acknowledged the strong public opposition to the bill by stating that elected officials will need political “courage” to pass the measure.”
Yeah. To hell with what the American people want!
Unbelievable.
Beware of this article. In a sneaky way- they are suggesting that Amnesty is not what Americans are mad about.
They suggest that majority of Americans are all for amnesty as long as the boarder is sealed. How many Conservatives really feel that way.
This puts the finger exactly on the split between the American people and the politicians. The politicians define the problem as "undocumented workers". Well, you define the problem thusly, the solution is simple: give them documents. Voila, the Z-visa. Problem solved. If you don't go along with this, you're a bigot, who ought to shut up (Lindsey Graham: R-McCain's back pocket) or you're a nativist or you hate Latinos (Linda Chavez: R-Pluto).
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