Posted on 07/27/2006 9:11:00 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN FRANCISCO
The majority of Californians view illegal immigration as a "very serious" problem, although most say they oppose deporting those already living in the United States, according to a new statewide poll released Thursday.
The Field Poll showed that 53 percent of voters in the state see illegal immigration as a very serious problem, and another 30 percent see it as somewhat serious.
Republicans tended to take a stronger view, with 69 percent seeing it as a very serious problem, compared to 46 percent of Democrats and 43 percent of nonpartisans, according to the survey.
An overwhelming majority, 80 percent, favor creating a program that would allow illegal immigrants who have been living here for a number of years a chance to stay and apply for citizenship, if they have a job, learn English and pay back taxes. Sixteen percent oppose that idea, and 4 percent had no opinion.
Californians also expressed strong support for boosting the number of federal border agents (71 percent), imposing stiff penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants (60 percent) and using National Guard troops to temporarily assist border agents (56 percent), researchers found.
Only 34 percent said they support deporting illegal immigrants and requiring them to reapply for admission.
Disapproval of President Bush's handling of the issue runs high across party lines, with 68 percent of Democrats and 52 percent of Republicans dissatisfied.
Researchers interviewed 494 registered voters in English and Spanish by telephone from July 10-23. The poll has a sampling error rate of 4.5 percentage points.
Immigration consensus found in poll
California voters support comprehensive approach
By John Marelius
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060727/news_1n27field.html
The majority of California voters consider illegal immigration to be a serious problem, but there is far more agreement on what to do about it than the rancorous debate would suggest, according to a new Field Poll.
The poll shows that a solid bipartisan majority favors the comprehensive approach embodied in the Senate bill over the House bill, which is limited to border-enforcement measures.
“I'm struck by the almost consensus view that Californians have about what should be done about this issue,” said Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo. “What is so striking is the lack of divisiveness by party and by political ideology.”
Seventy percent favored a plan that would address border security, a guest-worker program and opportunities for citizenship. Only 22 percent supported the enforcement-only plan.
While the issue is highly partisan in Congress, it is much less so with California voters. The poll showed the comprehensive approach was favored by 76 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Republicans and 70 percent of independents or minor-party members.
Likewise, it was supported by 78 percent of the voters who call themselves liberals, 64 percent of conservatives and 71 percent of those who characterize their ideology as middle of the road.
The poll shows that 58 percent of California registered voters regard illegal immigration as a “serious problem” for the state and 28 percent more called it “somewhat serious.”
Republicans are far more likely to hold that view than Democrats, as 76 percent of the Republicans called it a serious problem, compared with 48 percent of the Democrats.
“The immigration issue is at the top of voters' minds this year,” DiCamillo said. “It's a cutting issue and the people it's most important to especially are the Republicans and the conservatives.”
The Republican-controlled Congress is at loggerheads over illegal immigration. Each house has passed rival plans and efforts to reach a compromise have been postponed as the House holds a series of public hearings across the country.
Despite a public debate that often reaches an angry pitch, California voters appear far less divided than their representatives in Congress.
Two political professionals did not find the results surprising, but for very different reasons.
Jon Fleischman, a conservative blogger and former executive director of the California Republican Party said, “The public has broad views on issues, but most members of the public haven't invested the time to study the issue. That's why the majority of the House of Representatives who have studied the issue are not in favor of a guest-worker program.”
Democratic campaign strategist Darry Sragow had another view.
“I happen to be an optimist about human nature,” he said. “On this issue, you can articulate a very punitive position and you can articulate a very moderate, reasoned position. You can play to people's worst fears or you can play to their better impulses.”
Both President Bush and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger favor an approach to immigration along the lines of the Senate bill. A Field Poll this week showed that a majority of voters who support the Republican governor's re-election consider illegal immigration to be the most important issue.
While the new poll shows a substantial majority of California voters agree with Bush on the issue, a majority faults his handling of it. Twenty-five percent of the voters said they approved of how Bush has dealt with the issue, while 63 percent disapproved.
DiCamillo speculated that the response reflects frustration over the lack of congressional action on illegal immigration.
“I think voters are downgrading his effectiveness on this issue,” the pollster said.
With specific proposals, 80 percent of the voters said they favor allowing people who have been in the country illegally for a number of years to remain and apply for citizenship as long as they have a job, pay back taxes and learn English.
That position is supported by 86 percent of Democrats and 77 percent of Republicans.
Increasing the number of federal agents patrolling the border is favored by 71 percent of the voters, and 56 percent favored deploying National Guard troops to assist them temporarily.
Sixty percent support imposing stiff penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Voters reacted negatively to the proposal to require illegal immigrants to leave the country and reapply for admission, with only 34 percent in support and 60 percent in opposition.
The Field Poll is based on telephone interviews of 494 California registered voters. The survey was conducted July 10 through Sunday. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
The Field Poll
Of California voters
70% support a comprehensive immigration approach including border security, guest-worker program and paths to citizenship.
22% support a limited border-enforcement approach.
8% have no opinion.
bttt
ping
I have been polled by MANY pollsters lately, never can remember the names of the groups.
Most of their questions are skewed to get the result they want. They actually have told me my answer is not in the poll, when they say there is actually no way of recording my answers I hang up.
My California opinion seems to NEVER be one of the "correct" ansers.
California really is not a majority dem state. The coastal areas, San Fran, and L.A. are dems. The entire central valley and desert areas are mostly conservative. The problem is they have gerry mandered the districts to suit the voting.
Even the voters in the Land of Fruits and Nuts get it!
Is 34% too large to be considered "fringe"?
sheana <------- proud to be part of the fringe.
"Researchers interviewed 494 registered voters in English and Spanish by telephone from July 10-23"
Another distorted poll by Field!
By picking up the right phone books in California and throwing darts and dialing those numbers it would be simple to get those results.
That sample is so small it's an insult to even publish it.
I agree.
You can see all the questions and the detail here:
http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/RLS2205.pdf
7/27/2006 #2205: Illegal immigration a serious problem. Strong support for allowing illegal immigrants already here to stay. Tighter border security also favored. Large majority favors Congress passing a comprehensive bill covering all aspects of the issue
LATEST TEXAS POLLING:
Of all people polled in Texas, 53% said that
illegal immigration is a serious problem.
The other 47% said:
"No hablo inglés."
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