Thread: POLL: 69% Say Controlling the Border More Important

69% Now Say Controlling the Border More Important than Legalizing Aliens
Thursday, August 21, 2008



A growing majority of Americans believe that gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing illegal immigrants, and three out of four (74%) say the government is not doing enough to make that happen.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of voters in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey say controlling the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers, while just 21% think legalization is more important.

Only 14% think the government is doing enough to secure the borders.

Thirty-four percent (34%) say the current immigration situation makes them angry, and another 25% characterize themselves as mildly frustrated. For 40%, immigration is just one of many issues.

These numbers are comparable to the findings in a June survey on the same topic. At that time, 83% directed their anger at the federal government, while only 12% blamed the illegals themselves.

But in June only 63% rated controlling the borders more important than legalization and 28% felt the latter was of primary importance. The numbers had changed little in the past year, but the new findings show an uptick of concern among voters.

Slightly over half (53%) now say the nation’s immigration policy should welcome all except criminals and those who pose a national security risk. But 28% of voters disagree.

Voters are evenly divided on whether it is even possible for the United States to end illegal immigration.

Increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of federal action, states and localities are attempting to deal with the problem of illegal immigration on their own. Both major presidential candidates have called for stronger border enforcement but have not made it a central element of their campaigns, as they court the country’s growing Hispanic population.

Just today, Obama told a questioner in southern Virginia that he also favors a crackdown on employers who hire illegal aliens and wants illegals to register, pay a fine, learn English and be placed at the bottom of the list of those seeking citizenship. McCain, who in the Senate pushed a guest worker program that many viewed as amnesty for illegal immigrants, now calls for securing the border before anything else is done.

Support for gaining control of the border is high in nearly all age, income, political, gender and racial categories. Only those who describe themselves as liberals are more divided, although they favor border control slightly more than legalization.

For 86% of likely McCain voters, gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers. Potential Obama voters are more divided, with 53% favoring control of the border versus 35% who put legalization first.

Likely McCain voters are a lot angrier about the current immigration situation, too, with 47% describing themselves that way as opposed to only 19% of potential Obama voters. By contrast, 57% of likely Obama voters feel immigration is just one issue out of many, a feeling shared by just 24% of potential McCain voters.

The two sides are closer to agreement when asked if the government is doing enough to secure the borders. Only eight percent (8%) of likely McCain voters and 19% of potential Obama voters believe that to be the case.
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Rasmussen Poll: Voters Angry Over Immigration

Friday, August 22, 2008 1:43 PM

By: Jim Meyers Article Font Size


About 70 percent of voters believe that controlling the U.S. borders is more important than legalizing illegal immigrants, a new Rasmussen Reports national phone survey reveals.

Only 21 percent think legalization is more important.

Three out of four respondents said the government is not doing enough to secure the borders, while just 14 percent said the government’s efforts are sufficient.

Backers of Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain in the presidential race have differing views on immigration, Rasmussen found.

Among likely McCain voters, 86 percent believe gaining control of the borders is more important than legalizing undocumented workers; only 53 percent of likely Obama voters feel that way.

Nearly half of McCain supporters say they are angry about the current immigration situation, compared to just 19 percent for Obama backers.



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bttt

Slightly over half (53%) now say the nation’s immigration policy should welcome all except criminals and those who pose a national security risk. But 28% of voters disagree.

Okay, does "criminals and those who pose a national security risk" include every single illegal alien? Personally, I think the above comment is a little vague.

Honestly, I believe they're saying that 53% of the people support legalizing illegals if they haven't committed other crimes. If my assumption is correct, that's BS!

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Shoot! Rasmussen hasn't ever asked me for my opinion! I still can't believe that people aren't marching in the streets in their local state capitol because of outsourced jobs, increased skilled and unskilled visas and the increasing awareness that these people are not only a big financial drain on our social services, they are also increasing our crime.

I think we need to push for a complete halt to anchor baby status. That would probably slow immigration even further. It really ticks me off each time I see pregnant Hispanics pushing baby strollers as their toddlers follow along!

Are you listening John McCain? Americans just don't want our borders secured "first" -- we want our borders secured period, with no form of any amnesty!

A growing majority of Americans believe that gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing illegal immigrants, and three out of four (74%) say the government is not doing enough to make that happen.

That's the bottom line! With all the violence and corruption in Mexico and the demanding, meddling Mexican government, Americans better wake up to the fact that they are losing their country!
NO AMNESTY!!!!

bttt