Thread: Most Californians Favor Legalizing Illegal Immigrants

SAN DIEGO -- The majority of Californians view illegal immigration as a "very serious" problem, although even more said they oppose deporting those already living in the United States, according to a new statewide poll released Thursday.

The Field Poll showed that 53 percent of voters in the state see illegal immigration as a very serious problem, and another 30 percent see it as somewhat serious.

Republicans tended to take a stronger view, with 69 percent seeing it as a very serious problem, compared to 46 percent of Democrats and 43 percent of nonpartisans, according to the survey.

An overwhelming majority, 80 percent, favor creating a program that would allow illegal immigrants who have been living here for a number of years a chance to stay and apply for citizenship, if they have a job, learn English and pay back taxes. Sixteen percent oppose that idea, and 4 percent had no opinion.

Californians also expressed strong support for boosting the number of federal border agents (71 percent), imposing stiff penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants (60 percent) and using National Guard troops to temporarily assist border agents (56 percent), researchers found.

Only 34 percent said they support deporting illegal immigrants and requiring them to reapply for admission.

Disapproval of President Bush's handling of the issue runs high across party lines, with 68 percent of Democrats and 52 percent of Republicans dissatisfied.

Researchers interviewed 494 registered voters in English and Spanish by telephone from July 10-23. The poll has a sampling error rate of 4.5 percentage points.

The immigration issue has been particularly polarizing in San Diego County, which shares a border with Mexico. Congressional efforts to increase penalties for illegal immigrants sparked a series of large street protests in March and May. And anti-illegal-immigrant groups, like the Minute Men, have carried out a number of public actions, including civilian patrols of the border and protests at locations where day laborers gather.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/politics/9584818/detail.html

Then why is it 68% want them deported?