New Poll: Americans Favor a Guest Worker Plan

Time ^ | March 31 2006 | JYOTI THOTTAM

[jmc1969]

Americans polled by TIME magazine show strong support for a guest-worker program and a process for undocumented workers to become citizens, but they take a tough stance on securing the borders. And most do not want illegal immigrants to have access to health care, public education or driver's licenses.

In the telephone survey of 1004 adults, conducted Wednesday and Thursday, 79% say they favor a guest worker program that would allow illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. for a fixed period of time — the main provision of the bill proposed by Senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy that is now under fierce debate in Congress. Only 47% of those polled say they support the tougher measure backed by some House conservatives, deporting all illegal immigrants back to their home countries.

Although Americans want to give illegal immigrants the chance to work in the U.S. temporarily and even earn citizenship—78% say illegal immigrants who learn English, have a job and pay taxes ought to have a chance at it—they also want better enforcement both at the border and inside the country. A large majority, 71%, favor major penalties for people who hire illegal immigrants; 62% want the U.S. to take "whatever steps are necessary" to secure the border with Mexico, including posting military forces; and 56% favor a 2,000-mile-long fence. That two-pronged approach to illegal immigration is the same one favored by President Bush, who wants both a guest worker program and tighter border security.

[appalachian_dweller]

>> They are picking fruit, busing tables, laying brick, gardening, etc. The rabid anti-immigration people are in denial. The numbers are not on their side. <<

How many hospitals have closed their doors because they ran out of money treating illegals? What percentage of prison inmates are illegal? Many of the diseases that we HAD under control are re-emerging again due to illegal immigration?

Illegal immigrants are a drain and a danger to our society. A society that has been paid for in blood.

Always Right, you're not.

[Mike Darancette]

I wonder what percentage are willing to give their, or their children's jobs to a guest worker?

[Bernard]

Just remember, the basic difference between journalists and prostitutes is that prostitutes have higher ethical standards.

That, and prostitutes don't have taxes withheld from their compensation.

[Indygal]

Have you ever heard of La Raza and the word Reconquista? If not,you had better look them up.

[Spice]

I don't believe this poll for a minute. Most Americans think this "guestworker/amnesty" sham applies only to jobs low skilled Mexicans would take but it doesn't. It would allow ANY foreigner, from ANY country, to come in and take ANY job here in America if they underbid the American worker. This "guestworker" bill would wipe out the American middle class and keep an unending supply of cheap labor for corporate America. Nothing is more "permanent" than a so-called "guestworker."

[abigailsmybaby]

How do they know the person they were polling was an American?

[mthom]

Of course it wouldnt be a panacea. Ive heard people who dont support a fence claim the same amount would tunnel under, swim around, fly in, etc. Thats absurd. A fence, coupled with a reasonable guest worker program and decent enforcement could work. Of course my guest worker program wouldnt be for mexicans only Id include the whole world so we would really need a fence on the southern border because mexicans feel they deserve all of our immigration slots and dont much like to wait their turn. I dont see a program without a fence working. Now getting the "guest workers" to leave when their time is up is another thing.

[The Old Hoosier]

What I love is the fact that at least 16 percent of people want to let illegal aliens enter a guest worker program and stay, and also want to deport them -- ALL of them.

That makes zero sense.

[The Old Hoosier]

LOL!

[Mears]

bfl