Posted on 05/06/2005 5:08:06 PM PDT by John Jorsett
A new opinion poll by Zogby International indicates Americans are hardly pleased with the Bush administration on the subject of illegal immigration.
The poll, cited on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" program yesterday, noted a huge majority – 81 percent – believes local and state police should help federal authorities enforce laws against illegal immigration. Only 14 percent disagreed.
Voters were also asked, "Do you support or oppose the Bush administration's proposal to give millions of illegal aliens guest worker status and the opportunity to become citizens?" Only 35 percent gave their support, and 56 percent said no.
"A majority opposed illegal immigration," pollster John Zogby told CNN. "In fact, when you combine those two terms, 'illegal and immigration,' it really conjures up a considerable amount of negatives. And, in fact, we find that it's really across the board."
According to the report, the greatest opponents of illegal immigration are Democrats, African-Americans, women and people with household income below $75,000, those with the most to lose in the job market.
When it came to the status of the nation's borders, respondents were asked, "Do you agree or disagree that the federal government should deploy troops on the Mexican border as a temporary measure to control illegal immigration?" A clear majority – 53 percent – agree, while 40 percent disagree.
"The Minuteman program highlighted the fact that we need more tighter border security," Phil Kent of American Immigration Control Foundation told the network. "So I think these numbers again are good. It's a good civics lesson for the American people. It shows our elected leaders that we want action."
In summing up her report, CNN correspondent Lisa Sylvester noted, "So, while the public wants tougher borders, politicians are pushing to leave them open. A real disconnect."
Dobbs responded to that statement, saying: "The disconnect that you referred to, Lisa, between our elected officials and the people of this country is in no – on no other issue any more dramatic than on the issue of illegal immigration. The Zogby poll is just simply the most recent in a string of polls that show that the American people want their borders secure, they want immigration laws to be enforced, and to clean up what has become an atrocious mess on the part of our elected representatives serving better the interests of U.S. multinationals than the people who are working for a living in this country."
Within a week of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the U.S., Zogby polled Americans on border security and immigration issues.
When asked whether the government was doing enough to control the border and screen those allowed into the country, 76 percent said the government was not doing enough.
Regarding future threats to the U.S., 72 percent of likely voters in 2001 said a dramatic increase in resources devoted to border control and enforcement of immigration laws would help reduce the chances of a terrorist attack in the future.
As far as illegals go - round 'em up and head 'em out.
I think that Republican leadership has been duped by the MSM into believing that "tolerance" of illegals is the majority view. In Massachusetts there are at least 2 sob stories a month in the local media about an illegal who is being "persecuted."
A new opinion poll by Zogby International indicates Americans are hardly pleased with the Bush administration on the subject of illegal immigration.
The poll, cited on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" program yesterday, noted a huge majority – 81 percent – believes local and state police should help federal authorities enforce laws against illegal immigration. Only 14 percent disagreed
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For those of us who have been beating the keys, posting articles and our expressions of disgust with the inaction of our President and the Congress for over a year, we wonder where has everyone been??
This is another example of the controlled MSM, ignoring the American people and supporting the Socialist Agenda of the Progressive Democrats.
Bush and the GOP had better get with this. This is a potential problem for our side. Hillary and Democrats are liable to come out to the right of us. They may not mean it but perception is reality. Big problem on the horizon.
"Whichever party in 2008 comes out against illegal immigration will win."
Do you really think the issue will get that much attention by then? It would have to be one of the major parties, no third party will prevail on just one issue, it's been tried and has failed.
Who will have credibility? The Dems, no. The Pubbies, no.
They'll have to build this incrementally, this is the next big battle, and it will have to go step by step.
Of course a good first step would be closing/securing the border, and not just the Mexican border, not just the Canadian border, but the borders at the airports.
Visa reform, controlled borders, these are first steps. Throwing out criminal illegals (or increasing the penalties for their crimes to draconian levels) would be step A, even before #1.
I think many Americans MIGHT be willing to CONSIDER some kind of "amnesty" if they KNEW it wouldn't just lead to another flood.
WE've got to stop the current lawless situation. I for one don't trust Hillary! JEB, or even Rudy Giuliani to be any use for any of that.
Tell me, cheap labor Dane, is there some poll out there that says different ? Is there some poll out there that shows blue collar Americans just thrilled about illegals driving down their wages ? You have some poll about Americans construction workers happy about losing their jobs ?
This poll is the latest in a series saying pretty much the same thing. There is a strong grass roots anger about illegal immigration especially among Americans who are hardest hit economically by competition with illegals.
Religious conservatives are blue collar primarily. If the GOP nominates a McCain or a Giuliani who is weak on borders and the Dems nominate someone who at least talks tough on illegal immigration, they will either sit home on election day or cross over.
Ahem, with immigrant labor(Chinese). This is where we got chop suey.
That seems to be the prevailing analysis, but, I'm not convinced of it. I am of the opinion that we do not need to look that deeply. With the Pubs timidity is, more often than not, the answer.
They get demonized everytime they take a firm stand & have not the guts to defend and return fire. Consequently, they give up before the game starts.
In psycho-babble it is refered to as a self fulfilling prophecy.
See reply #8 for a juxtaposition of zogby's poll.
If the majority want the cops to help the feds, why do they elect mayors that forbid the police from helping the feds and legislators who pass laws requiring benefits for illegal aliens, that keep them coming here. If you took away all the benefits, you would see a significant reduction in the numbers.
I forget what thread it was, but the article referred to illegal aliens as "people on the move".
AHEM legal immigrant labor.....
I have never voted for a democrat - not in more than 30 years of voting.
That being said...I agree. I am tired of uncontrolled open borders. I want the invasion stopped.
True. The big joke where I live is that restaurant cooks are all Mexicans, even in Chinese restaurants.
It only makes sense to oppose illegal immigration.
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