Poll Analysis: Large Majority Favors “Guest Workers”

TIME ^ | 03/31/06 | MARK SCHULMAN AND TARA REGAN

[Pikamax]

With the immigration debate raging in Congress and immigration supporters spilling out into the streets, the latest Time Poll finds a lopsided majority of the American public, 72%, favor a "guest worker" program in a head-to-head match-up over a House bill that would criminalize illegal immigration.

• Only 1 in 4 (25%) support the more drastic House version that would make illegals felons, allowing no illegals into the country, with no guest worker provisions.

The latest Time Poll of 1,004 adults, conducted March 29-30, finds that even a large majority of border state residents, 78%, favor the guest worker approach over expelling illegals. Large majorities of Republicans (66%), Democrats (75%), and Independents (73%) favor the guest worker approach.

Please Tell Me Which Comes Closest To Your Views
% Favor	Total (%)	Republican (%)	Democrat (%)	Independent (%)
Allow Illegal Immigrants To Get Temporary Work Visas	72	66	75	73
Make Illegal Immigration a Crime And Not Allow Anyone Who Entered The Country Illegaly to Work or Stay In the U.S.	25	32	22	24

Favor Tougher Border Security Too

As a fractured Congress debates immigration reform, two-thirds (68%) say that illegal immigration is an extremely/very serious problem in the United States. A large majority believe the U.S. is not doing enough to secure its borders (82%).

While Americans overwhelmingly favor the guest worker option, they also want a crackdown at the border and stiff penalties for employers who hire illegals.

• 82% say that the United States is not doing enough to keep illegals from entering this country.
• 62% favor taking whatever steps are necessary at the borders, including the use of the military, to cut the flow of illegals into this country.
• 56% favor building a security fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
• 71% support major penalties for employers who hire illegals. Contradictions and Limits to Illegals' Access to Services

The debate has Americans voicing sometimes contradictory opinions. A small majority (51%) still think the U.S. would be "better off" by deporting all illegal immigrants compared to a little less than two-in-five (38%) who think the U.S. would be "worse off."

Americans would also limit illegals' access to government services, such as driver's licenses (69% not allow), health care/food stamps (75% not allow), and attending public schools (51% not allow). Support Beyond Guest Workers Most Americans would allow illegal immigrants to gain citizenship under certain circumstances.

• About 7-in-10 (72%) favor granting temporary visas to immigrants not currently in the United States to do seasonal or temporary work here and then return to their own countries;
• About 3-in-4 (78%) favor allowing illegal immigrants in the U.S. citizenship if they learn English, have a job and pay taxes;
• A majority (55%) think illegal immigrants are taking jobs that U.S. citizens do not want or cannot do.

Demonstrations Backfire?
About 2 in 3 (67%) are aware of this week's demonstrations by immigrants and immigrant rights activists in a number of cities. The demonstrations likely had little effect currying support for their pro-immigrant position. Among the people who were aware of the demonstrations, only 14% reported that the protests made them more supportive of rights for illegal immigrants, while almost three times as many, 40%, said that the demonstrations make them less supportive. Almost half (44%) said that the demonstrations had no effect on their stance.

Partisanship and Geography Differences
Partisan differences complicate the issue further. However, these are mainly differences in degree:

• Republicans more than Democrats believe illegal immigration is a very serious problem (79% - 64%), as do white, born-again Christians (76%).

• Republicans are more in favor than Democrats of providing and enforcing major penalties for employers convicted of hiring illegals (77% - 66%), stopping illegals at the border from entering the U.S. by whatever steps necessary (71% - 54%) and deporting all illegals back to their home countries (58% - 42%).

Do You Favor or Oppose the Following to Deal with Illegal Immigration?
% Favor	Total (%)	Republican (%)	Democrat (%)
Allowing illegal immigrants to register as guest workers	79	79	77
Allowing illegal immigrants in the US, citizenship if they learn English, have a job and pay taxes	78	73	82
Granting temporary visas to immigrants not in the US so they can do seasonal/temporary work and return to home countries	72	72	71
Providing and enforcing penalties for employers convicted of hiring illegal immigrants	71	77	66
Stopping illegal immigrants from entering the US by taking whatever steps necessary to guard the border	62	71	54
Deporting all illegal immigrants	47	58	45

Other Political Fallout

As President Bush meets in Cancun on immigration and trade issues with the leaders of Mexico and Canada, Bush's overall approval rating sits at 37%. A majority disapprove of his handling of illegal immigration (56% disapprove - 25% approve). His disapproval score on immigration is down five points from January's 61% disapprove – 24% approve.

Almost equal numbers of Americans are more likely to vote for (29%) or vote against (28%) a candidate who favors criminalizing illegal immigration. More than 1 in 3 (37%) say it wouldn't have much effect on their vote. Republicans in Congress are more likely to feel the heat on this issue. Republicans (37%) are more likely than Democrats (24%) to support a candidate for Congress who favors making illegal immigration a crime.

• Half of Hispanics (50%) – a hotly contested group courted by both parties -- would punish candidates who favored criminalization of illegals. Concerns about Illegal Immigration

The biggest concern for Americans regarding illegal immigration is the drain on taxpayers' dollars to provide services such as health care and education to them (61% "very concerned"). Concern is higher among Republicans (67%) and Southerners (65%). Other major concerns about illegal immigrants are that they:

• increase the likelihood of terrorism in the U.S. (44% very concerned).
• American workers can't compete with low wages (43%).
• increase the amount of crime (40%).
• take jobs away from Americans (35%).
• overcrowd the country, with too many people in the U.S. now (33%).

• weaken American way of life (29%).

How Concerned Are You About Each Item Concerning Illegal Immigrants?
% Very Concerned	Total (%)	Republican (%)	Democrat (%)	Independent (%)
Costs taxpayers too much money to provide them with services	61	67	57	61
They increase the likelihood of terrorism in the U.S.	44	52	40	44
American workers can't afford to work for the same low wages as illegal immigrants	43	43	43	42
They increase the amount of crime	40	46	38	39
They take jobs away from Americans	35	36	37	30
There are too many people in the U.S.	33	30	34	33
Weaken American way of life	29	33	25	28

Methodology This Time Magazine poll was conducted by telephone between March 29-30, 2006 among a national random sample of 1,004 adults, age 18 and older throughout America.

The margin of error for the entire sample is approximately +/- 3 percentage points. The margin of error is higher for subgroups. Surveys are subject to other error sources as well, including sampling coverage error, recording error, and respondent error.

The Poll's partisan breakdown is as follows:
32% Democrat
28% Republican
25% Independent

Schulman, Ronca, & Bucuvalas (SRBI) Public Affairs designed the survey and conducted all interviewing. The full Time questionnaire and trend data may be found at: www.srbi.com.

[fantom]

Within 5 years time will be a 2 page hand out . What a pathetic attempt . I suppose we should be happy , this may be the first time they agree with bush .

[smalltownslick]

This said "MAKE Illegal immigration a crime" it's already a crime. Illegal means a crime, doesn't it?

[MaineVoter2002]

This said "MAKE Illegal immigration a crime" it's already a crime. Illegal means a crime, doesn't it?

Makes you wonder if half the prostesors even know what they are protesting. If they're watching cnn, they had probably concluded that the US may stop immigration. Period. LOL

[sinkspur]

What is illegal that is not also criminal?

It is illegal to drive 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.

You are not a criminal for doing so.

[Jorge]

Jorge sez; Build the wall THEN give us a guest worker program!

[MaineVoter2002]

My version is that a guest worker MUST

* Have a full background check and get certified. They would then be able to cross the border for extended periods of time with minimum hassle.

* Any child born of a guest worker would be a citizen of the country of the parents citizenship.

* All employers of guest workers must report all employees to a government agency.

* All employers of guest workers must abide by the same employee/employer rules at the rest of the country.

* All guest workers that commit crimes will have their guest worker status revoked and will be returned to their country of citizenship at the cost of the originating country.

* Any one entering the country that has had a guest worker certification revoked will be sent to an outsourced prison (India or China) for life without parole.

* Anyone entering the country without proper certifications, visas, or other federally official authorization shall be sent to an outsourced prison for no less than 10 years.


AND NO ILLEGALS ALREADY IN USA ARE ELIGIBLE

[Jim_Curtis]

These fake polls must influence Republican politicians or the Times and them wouldn't keep publishing these absurd results that always show that the masses have assimilated their favored liberal/anti-law/anti-security position on each and every issue.

[Clemenza]

The only way we can win is if we keep calling and writing our congressman and Senators.

[Reagan Man]

Another recent poll.

Quinnipiac University poll. Feb. 21-28, 2006. N=1,892 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 2.3.
						.
"As you may know, immigrants to the United States can be here legally -- that is, they have been legally admitted to the country and are allowed to live and work here; or they can be here illegally. Such immigrants are sometimes called 'undocumented' because they do not have papers allowing them to live and work here. Should legal immigration into the United States be kept at its present level, increased, or decreased?"
						.
		Present Level	Increased	Decreased	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	2/21-28/06	33	24	39	4
						.
"How serious a problem is illegal immigration into the United States: a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, not too serious a problem or not a problem at all?"
						.
		Very Serious	Somewhat Serious	Not Too Serious	Not a Problem	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/21-28/06	57	31	9	2	1
						.
"Do you support or oppose making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens?"
						.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/21-28/06	32	62	6
						.
"Do you support or oppose making it easier for illegal immigrants to become legal workers?"
						.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/21-28/06	41	54	4
						.
"Do you support or oppose allowing illegal immigrants to get drivers' licenses?"
						.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/21-28/06	25	72	4
						.
"Do you support or oppose requiring proof of legal residency in order to obtain government benefits?"
						.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/21-28/06	84	14	3
						.
"Do you support or oppose eliminating the automatic American citizenship for illegal immigrants' children who are born in the United States?"
						.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/21-28/06	42	50	7

 

[NapkinUser]

82% say that the United States is not doing enough to keep illegals from entering this country.
62% favor taking whatever steps are necessary at the borders, including the use of the military, to cut the flow of illegals into this country.
56% favor building a security fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
71% support major penalties for employers who hire illegals.

Nice.

A large majority believe the U.S. is not doing enough to secure its borders (82%).

[singfreedom]

I support a guest worker program ONLY if American businesses have to request the workers they need AND only if they have already advertised for AMERICAN WORKERS FIRST. Enforcement on the border has to be first priority, however.

I am getting REALLY tired of Congress promising to enforce immigration laws. Something they still have not done.

In 1965, the "swimmer", himself, promised that "our cities will not be flooded with a million immigrants annually. Under the proposed bill, the present level of immigration remains substantially the same....Secondly, the ethnic mix of this country will not be upset." (Immigration subcommittee chairman Edward Kennedy, Immigration Nationality Services Act, 1965, [Hart-Cellar])

Now you tell me, has he kept his word? And this clown is still trying to screw the American people. Based on his above assessment, I'd call him inept, incompetent, and certainly not the one we want writing current legislation on this subject.

Now one of the bigwigs of La Reza is trying to convince his members that they need to just kill all the "Gringos"! We're old and since they are the majority anyway, etc. He needs to be arrested for "hate speech"!

[Reagan Man]

Immigration Issue Remains Divisive

Survey of 1,000 Adults

March 28-29, 2006

More Important
Reduce Illegal Immigration	65%
Expand Legal Opportunities for Foreign Workers	25%
RasmussenReports.com

---

Should there be a way for illegal immigrants with a job to stay in US Legally?
Yes	39%
No	44%
RasmussenReports.com

---

Trust More on Immigration
Republican	38%
Democrats	37%
RasmussenReports.com

---

---

 

 

March 30, 2006--As Congress considers legislation to reform the immigration process, the nation remains divided on how to proceed.

By a 65% to 25% margin, Americans say it is more important to reduce the number of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. than it is to expand legal opportunities for foreign workers to get jobs in the U.S.

However, that doesn't translate into an overwhelming public desire to force illegal aliens out of the country. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans say there should be some way for illegal aliens with a job to stay in the U.S. legally. Forty-four percent (44%) disagree while 17% are not sure.

Fully a quarter (25%) of those who believe reducing illegal immigration is the top priority also believe that some way should be found to keep illegal immigrants in the country legally.

Earlier surveys on immigration have found support for building a barrier along the Mexican border and positive attitudes towards citizen patrols along the border. Another survey found that most Americans consider current immigration laws a threat to both national security and the economy. Three-fourths of all Americans believe it is too easy for people from other countries to enter the United States.

[MaineVoter2002]

I support a guest worker program ONLY if American businesses have to request the workers they need AND only if they have already advertised for AMERICAN WORKERS FIRST.

This was actually the original plan. I'm not sure if it still is. I hope so. It's the plan I support

Enforcement on the border has to be first priority, however

Exactly. Unfortunately the illegals already here are not going anywhere so we have time to deal with that after we plug the holes in our borders.

[Jim_Curtis]

The only way we can win is if we keep calling and writing our congressman and Senators.

You know what would be a lot more effective than calling our Senators? Recalling some of them.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

I notice that Time is presuming that the guest worker program is for illegals that are already here. I do not favor that, nor amnesty for illegals.

I do favor a guest worker program for those who are not here, but want to come here to work for a limited time to work. I am not against those who come here legally, even temporarily, having an opportunity to later become citizens.

Along with a guest worker program for those who want to work here legally, I would demand that anyone who has been deported from here for being here illegally in the past, present or future not be able to get in the guest worker program or get any other visa at all, ever.

[Dutch Boy]

"AND NO ILLEGALS ALREADY IN USA ARE ELIGIBLE"

I can't believe I forgot that one. I must be getting tired.

[MaineVoter2002]

The only way we can win is if we keep calling and writing our congressman and Senators.


http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[wardaddy]

what a biased poll

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

"What is illegal that is not also criminal?"

Good question. Here is another question. How can a bill criminalize illegal immigration? Isn't illegal immigration already criminal?

[USMA '71]

The Poll's partisan breakdown is as follows:

32% Democrat

28% Republican

25% Independent

Speaking of statistically valid - I guess the 15% not accounted for in the poll population are illegal aliens!