Thread: Arizona-style immigration in Virginia?

Poll: Arizona-style immigration in Virginia?

There are large partisan divides when it comes to immigration issues.

By KEVIN ROBILLARD | 7/18/12 8:25 AM EDT

Virginians overwhelmingly want their state to adopt a tough Arizona-style immigration law, according to a new poll Wednesday.

Close to two-thirds of voters want the Old Dominion to follow Arizona’s lead and adopt a policy requiring police officers to check the immigration status of people they suspect may be in the country illegally, with 34 percent opposing such a move, the Quinnipiac survey found.

The legislation attracts majorities regardless of gender, religion, education level or income. The only demographic group to oppose the law is black voters: Thirty-six percent would support Arizona-style legislation, and 58 percent would oppose it.

Meanwhile, 53 percent of registered voters support the Obama administration’s decision to allow illegal immigrants who came to the country as children to obtain work permits, according to Quinnipiac. Forty percent oppose it. But only 14 percent said it would make them more likely to vote for the president, half the number who said it would make them less likely to support him. Over half said it wouldn’t affect their vote.

There are large partisan divides on both immigration questions. A whopping 91 percent of Republicans want an Arizona-style law, compared with just 36 percent of Democrats. Only 28 percent of GOP voters like the president’s move, compared with the 80 percent of Democrats who approve.

Virginia voters are also backing all of the state’s high-profile elected officials: Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) have above-water approval ratings, as do the state’s two Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Jim Webb. Warner has the highest approval rating in the state at 57 percent. Bolling has the lowest at 36 percent. Forty-five percent of registered voters don’t have an opinion of Bolling.

Virginia voters are also happy to see University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan back in office, with 47 percent supporting the decision to rehire her. Only 26 percent approved of McDonnell’s handling of the situation surrounding Sullivan’s ouster and 23 percent didn’t approve.

Poll: Arizona-style immigration in Virginia? - Kevin Robillard - POLITICO.com

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