Thread: PA poll finds support for local immigration laws

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 76252.html

Pa. poll finds support for local immigration laws


By David M. Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, October 23, 2006


Pennsylvanians strongly support local laws that crack down on illegal immigrants, such as controversial ordinances recently enacted in Hazleton, Luzerne County, a new statewide poll shows.
Sixty-five percent of those polled support Hazleton's action -- designed to make the Eastern Pennsylvania community "the toughest place on illegal immigrants in America," according to its mayor -- and nearly two out of three (63 percent) say they would back similar laws in their communities, the survey conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research found.

About 78 percent of Pittsburgh-area residents supported the law -- the strongest support of any region in the state.

"The poll just really emphasizes the fact that other communities believe the same thing: that the federal government can't or won't solve this problem," said Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, who has been in the national spotlight since proposing his get-tough policy this summer.

"We welcome legal immigrants, but illegal aliens are not welcome in Hazleton," said Barletta, 50, the grandson of an immigrant.

Several other Pennsylvania communities have adopted laws patterned after Hazleton's, including Altoona, a city of about 47,000 in Blair County.

Susquehanna Polling, based in Harrisburg, will release the survey results today in conjunction with a speech by Barletta at the monthly luncheon of the Pennsylvania Press Club in the state capital.

Hazelton's law aims to pressure illegals by punishing companies that hire them and landlords who rent to them. Adopted by Hazleton City Council in July, the law is scheduled to be enforced starting Nov. 1.

Barletta, a Republican, said Hazleton adopted the law in response to increased crime and a drain on municipal and school district resources that officials attributed to an influx of undocumented aliens. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Hazleton's population at 21,100, but the mayor maintains the population has swollen to 31,000 residents, many of them illegal immigrants.

"Our police department is strained beyond its capability," Barletta said. "Most of the high-profile crimes we've experienced have been committed by illegal aliens, and gang activity is on the rise."

Altoona City Council in September voted 6-1 to adopt the "Undocumented Alien Control Ordinance," which is based on Hazleton's law.

Since the Hazleton vote, more than a half-dozen communities in Eastern Pennsylvania have passed or considered similar crackdowns on illegal immigrants, as have a number of municipalities nationwide.

Critics call the Hazleton law "mean-spirited" and inflammatory.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups filed a federal lawsuit claiming Hazleton's law is unconstitutional. The case is likely to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, legal experts say.

"We're not defending illegal immigration. This is about whether Hazleton's law respects the rights of all immigrants," said Witold "Vic" Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

The law oversteps federal authority to regulate immigration, the lawsuit maintains.

Walczak said it also "makes anyone who looks or sounds foreign a suspect" and promotes discrimination.

In the poll, 47 percent of participants say they would strongly support similar laws to Hazleton's in their communities and 16 percent somewhat support the idea. Thirty-two percent oppose such laws and 5 percent were undecided.

The telephone poll of 700 likely voters was conducted Oct. 1-6. It has an error factor of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Hazleton's law is made up of three ordinances. One provides for fines of $1,000 a day for landlords who rent to illegal immigrants. Firms that employ undocumented workers risk losing their business licenses for five years. Another ordinance declares English the city's official language.

The poll shows broad-based support among diverse groups and regions, said Jim Lee, who conducted the poll. About 78 percent of Republicans favor the law, as do 57 percent of Democrats\. Support was about even among men (67 percent) and women (64 percent).

A majority of voters in all regions of the state except Philadelphia support such laws. Philadelphia voters opposed the measure, 55 percent to 43 percent.

Lee said the poll shows "communities around the state are looking for ways to take the power into their own hands to restore local control" over decisions that keep illegal immigrants out.

Good poll, but only 65% sounds low. The 78% reading is closer to the accurate information.

W

I wish that there were more polls in other cities to let the media know how we truly feel about the subject. There are just too many people that are ignorant to the fact that they cost the rest of us too much money. They think that they are only here for a better life.

Swatchick,

I think in the future you will see more and more polls come out in each state.
I know back in May when Jorge gave his little 15 minute amnesty endorsement, UT did a poll on the local news that same night.
The results were quite astonishing. Now granted the one question they polled during the news period was a broad question, but it was amazing to see the results.
The poll question was "SHOULD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BE GRANTED AMNESTY?".
In that 30 minute time period, the results came back with over 30,000 votes. The results were 97% NO, & 3% YES.
I believe that if Hazleton wins this lawsuit against the ACLU, more and more cities are going to be passing similar ordinances.
As we all know, if Hazleton wins, this will be a HUGE victory for our side!

Added to homepage with note

ALIPAC Note: These poll numbers are a little low at 65%. Other polls show us that support should be closer to 80%.

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=N ... =1&thold=0