Thread: Poll: Most Say Illegal Immigration is 'Very Serious' Problem

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryn ... 135656.htm

Poll: Most say illegal immigration is 'very serious' problem
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO - The majority of Californians view illegal immigration as a "very serious" problem, although most say 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.

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.

That pretty much says it all for me. What the poll failed to mention was how many of those 494 spoke fluent Spanish?

How can one say illegal immigration is very serious, then say well, it's ok to let them stay here??????

moosetracks, A tree hugger!

You know, the same people that scream I'm cold but refuse to chop down a tree for fire or shelter and will never consider wearing fur.

Dixie