Freedom Folks: Poll, Poll, Everywhere A Poll

The hits just keep on coming...

55% Say Immigration "Very Important" Voting Issue

May 17, 2006

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans say that the immigration issue is "very important" in terms of how they will vote this November. Another 29% say it is somewhat important.

The Rasmussen Reports national opinion survey taken the night after the President's nationally televised address also highlighted a common misconception about the immigration debate.

Media commentaries often suggest that support for an enforcement first policy is an option supported primarily by conservatives. In fact, 67% of political moderates support such an approach. That's virtually indistinguishable from the 66% of conservatives who support for enforcement-first approach. Fifty-two percent (52%) of self-identified liberals also hold this view.

Most voters who hold an enforcement-first perspective also favor a national policy that welcomes all immigrants (except national security threats, criminals, and welfare seekers).

Couple that with this...

39% Agree With President on Immigration

May 17, 2006

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans agree with President Bush's approach on the immigration issue. An equal number disagree, while 22% are not sure.

Just 60% of Republicans agree with the President on this issue.

These results are from a Rasmussen Reports national opinion survey taken the night after the President's nationally televised address on the topic. Typically, a Presidential address will increase support for a President's policy approach by several percentage points. Following this speech, Democrats have increased their advantage on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Americans support strict employer penalties to help reduce illegal immigration.

When given a choice between three options, three-fifths (63%) say employer penalties are the most effective approach. Just 16% say using National Guard troops would be more effective. Thirteen percent (13%) say building a wall is the best approach.

At the moment, just 35% believe the President's approach will reduce illegal immigration. Forty-seven percent (47%) do not.

The survey asked participants to choose between two immigration bills. "One would improve control of the borders but do nothing about the status of working immigrants who are here illegally. The other would legalize the status of working immigrants who are here illegally but would do nothing to improve control of the border."

By a 63% to 19% margin, voters prefer the bill that controls the borders but does nothing about the status of illegal aliens.

Still, 53% believe that our national policy goal should be to welcome all immigrants except national security threats, criminals, and welfare seekers. That goal is shared by a majority of those who favor an enforcement first policy.