Thread: THIS WAS SENT TO ME FROM centerforamericanprogress

What the Public Really Wants

On Immigration, the Answer Is Tough But Fair

by Ruy Teixeira

June 28, 2006

What does the public really want on immigration? This is currently the subject of intense debate as Congress considers various proposals to toughen enforcement and reform our immigration system in the run-up to national elections this fall. It is also the subject of the first in a monthly series of poll analyses that the Center for American Progress and The Century Foundation will conduct on topics that are sure to define the political debate in America.

We chose immigration because, at first glance, it seems to be so politically polarizing. Fortunately, polling organizations have dramatically stepped up their level of polling on the issue, turning a once modest store of relevant public data into a cornucopia of information on virtually every aspect of the immigration debate. Much of the new poll findings seem confusing, even contradictory, yet serious analysis of the data bring the public’s views on immigration into sharp focus.

Our analysis shows that the public favors a tough, but not punitive, approach to immigration enforcement, combined with fairly generous views on immigration reform to deal with the undocumented immigrants who are already here, including a path toward citizenship. But public support for reform includes a series of requirements and conditions that Americans feel immigrants must meet to stay in the country and, eventually, become citizens.

Alas, the remarkably nuanced views of the American public on immigration reform are often cherry picked by all the parties to the current debate to publicize the public’s “true” viewpoints on immigration. Our analysis will help separate fact from fiction.

Our analysis shows that the public favors a tough, but not punitive, approach to immigration enforcement, combined with fairly generous views on immigration reform to deal with the undocumented immigrants who are already here, including a path toward citizenship. But public support for reform includes a series of requirements and conditions that Americans feel immigrants must meet to stay in the country and, eventually, become citizens.

Well, I guess I'm not part of the public, because I do not support a path to legalization for the 12-20 million illegal aliens currently in this country! I would say your analysis is skewed - you obviously have no clue on what the majority of Americans want. You will never convince me that I am of the minority in my desire to see all illegal aliens returned to their homeland and legal immigration slowed.

Our analysis shows that the public favors a tough, but not punitive, approach to immigration enforcement, combined with fairly generous views on immigration reform to deal with the undocumented immigrants who are already here, including a path toward citizenship. But public support for reform includes a series of requirements and conditions that Americans feel immigrants must meet to stay in the country and, eventually, become citizens.

Yep, this is the standard mantra of the propaganda machines. In other words, it's total BS!

is not bs, is the truth. yes, 70% plus want enforcement. want to stop illegal immigration. want workplace enforcement. secured borders. perhaps even some kind of fence. in that, you are right. but in dozens of polls they are open to at least temp status. you guys are batting .900. and you guys will get almost everything you want.

i keep trying to tell people that you guys have the upper hand and that we are playing in your field under your rules. and the more genrous a amnesty is, the wider, taller, and longer a fence will be.

but a true analysis will tellyou that peopel are open tot eh idea. and they accept the idea if they get enforcement. and word of advise, when you guys say, "enforcement first," keep a straight face and fake it really good. the senate is setting a trap.

I want to keep it clear, I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS ARTICLE, i think we must keep the pressure because they are twisting our thoughts and misrepresenting us. The media start saying that this matter is loosing public interess, and this can not happen, they will make congress also believe what is not true. KEEP ON THR PRESSURE, this articule came I don't know how to my e-mail and it was blocked with the filter on my computer.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

TheInquisitor wrote:

is not bs, is the truth. yes, 70% plus want enforcement. want to stop illegal immigration. want workplace enforcement. secured borders. perhaps even some kind of fence. in that, you are right. but in dozens of polls they are open to at least temp status. you guys are batting .900. and you guys will get almost everything you want.

Again, I am highly suspect of ANY poll showing that the majority of American citizens support any type of amnesty/guest-worker status.

The death knell of American support for "illegals just looking for a better life" was delivered with the recent revelation that our "leaders" intend to share OUR hard earned Social Security funds with not only those that have been working here illegally for years...but also with those that would be granted "guest worker" status!

Propaganda is NOT going to alter public opinion this time...I promise.

Guess what? Now i figure out what Mr. Bush wants ......He wants to cut on medicare and to grant medicare to all these illegals so they will be in need for more doctors, they (the doctors) will charge less because there will be more doctors(to attend everybody) and they will make less money,but in other hand they will pay less insurance because he is trying to pass that law that limits the financial compensation they have ,to pay for law suits. Everything he does is machiavellic ,and has a second thought.

Originally Posted by TheInquisitor

is not bs, is the truth. yes, 70% plus want enforcement. want to stop illegal immigration. want workplace enforcement. secured borders. perhaps even some kind of fence. in that, you are right. but in dozens of polls they are open to at least temp status. you guys are batting .900. and you guys will get almost everything you want.

i keep trying to tell people that you guys have the upper hand and that we are playing in your field under your rules. and the more genrous a amnesty is, the wider, taller, and longer a fence will be.

but a true analysis will tellyou that peopel are open tot eh idea. and they accept the idea if they get enforcement. and word of advise, when you guys say, "enforcement first," keep a straight face and fake it really good. the senate is setting a trap.

Guess the World Cup doesn't interest you anymore so you've returned.

As usual, I have a hard time understanding you. You keep saying 'you guys' which shows you are not part of our cause. We have the upper hand? How? Because we are citizens wanting to protect our borders and way of life? And the senate is setting a trap eh? What kind of gibbergabber is that?

Troll talk....Looks like broken English put down on paper.