Arizona immigration law widely liked

May 12th, 2010, 7:57 am
by Dena Bunis, Washington Bureau Chief

There’s broad public support for Arizona’s new tough immigration law with 59 percent of Americans supporting the law and 73 percent telling pollsters for the Pew Research Center for People and the Press that they approve of requiring people to show police documents verifying their legal status.

And the same poll shows wide public dissatisfaction with the way President Barack Obama is handling immigration policy.

Arizona’s law, which takes effect this summer, would give police the power to check people’s legal status if they are stopped for some other reason. Critics say it will lead to racial profiling. Supporters say it’s needed to stem illegal immigration because the federal government isn’t handling the problem.

Asked about how Obama is handling immigration policy just 25 percent approve and 54 percent disapprove.

Obama has received criticism from those most concerned about illegal immigration for not doing more to secure the border. And advocates of comprehensive immigration reform – including a legalization plan for the nearly 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. – are concerned because they believe he hasn’t pushed hard enough for such a law.

Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council is set to discuss a possible boycott of business with Arizona. A city analyst has determined that LA has $56 million in investments with the state.

The Pew poll also found that 67 percent of respondents approve of police detaining anyone who cannot show proof they are here legally. And 62 percent approve of allowing police to question anyone they think may be in the country illegally.

Pew surveyed 994 adults from May 6 to 9. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

http://totalbuzz.freedomblogging.com/20 ... ked/34889/