By Stephen Dinan

June 22, 2012, 03:16PM

The Washington Times


A new poll of Michigan voters suggests President Obama's new deportation halt for young illegal immigrants hurts him slightly more than it helps him in a state that is suddenly seen as in play in November's elections.

The Mitchell Poll of 750 likely voters found 47 percent of voters said Mr. Obama's decision makes them less likely to support him in November, while 41 percent said it makes them more likely to pull the lever for him.

Writing at MichiganView.com, Steve Mitchell, a Republican pollster who conducted the survey, said many voters appear to be swayed by the GOP's argument that Mr. Obama's move — right or wrong — was an unconstitutional end-run around Congress.

Last week Mr. Obama said he would halt deportations of illegal immigrants under 30 who were brought to the U.S. as children, who have completed high school or earned a GED and who don't have felony or multiple misdemeanor convictions on their record.

National polling suggests the move is popular overall.

Poll: Obama immigration policy could hurt him in Michigan - Washington Times