Most Americans favor letting illegal immigrants become citizens, poll finds (criminals excluded)

LA Times ^ | 6/12/07 | Janet Hook

[BurbankKarl]

A strong majority of Americans — including nearly two-thirds of Republicans — favors allowing illegal immigrants to become citizens if they pay fines, learn English and meet other requirements, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll has found.

That is a striking show of support for the central tenet of legislation that has stalled in the Senate amid vocal opposition from conservatives to provisions allowing such a path to citizenship.

Only 23% of adults surveyed opposed allowing immigrants to become legal. That bolsters the view, shared by President Bush, that the bill's opponents represent a vocal minority, whereas most people are more welcoming toward illegal immigrants.

"They are willing to take jobs that our people aren't interested in, and I think this helps the economy," Joseph Simpkins, a retired dry cleaner in New Jersey who participated in the survey, said in a follow-up interview. "As long as they pay taxes, I see nothing wrong with having them become citizens

...(buried at bottom)

The survey question specified that, under the proposal, citizenship would be available only to those who register their presence in the U.S., have no criminal record, pay a fine, get fingerprinted and learn English, among other requirements.

[Altura Ct.]

The L.A Times what a reliable source of illegal immgration news./s

No Amnesty! Not today, Not tomorrow, Not EVER again!

[Dov in Houston]

If someone favored giving citizenship to the illegal immigrants except the criminals then none of them would get it. Illegal is Illegal is Illegal. They are all Illegal hence criminals

[A CA Guy]

If the poll asked if legalizing these folks seemed appealing when their kids cost $14,000 a year each in public funds for education and more for health, lodging and food? I think not too many would be in favor of another three trillion in debt.