Poll: Voters torn on illegal immigrants

The Southern | Posted: Tuesday, November 8, 2011 1:00 am |


CARBONDALE - The latest results from a statewide poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU shows Illinois voters have some mixed feelings when it comes to illegal immigrants.

For the most part, voters seem to be in favor of finding ways to grant illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, if they follow certain guidelines. On the other hand, they also want to see more enforcement along the border and of immigration laws.

"These results are not necessarily contradictory," Charlie Leonard, visiting professor ant the institute and poll director, said in a release. "I think Illinoisans are comfortable with immigrant populations, whether in the vibrant cultural diversity of Chicago or in the agricultural communities downstate that may rely on immigrant labor.

"At the same time, though, they favor enforcement of existing laws and want to keep illegal immigration from overtaking the state."

Statewide, nearly 61 percent of respondents supported giving undocumented workers a path to citizenship, so long as they had passed background checks, paid fines and had jobs. In Southern Illinois, however, only 45 percent supported such a plan, while 48 percent were opposed to it.
[b]

Statewide, nearly 57 percent supported giving citizenship to illegal immigrants who join the military or go to college. And more than 63 percent were in favor of the Dream Act, which would allow illegal immigrants who graduate from Illinois high schools to receive in-state tuition at state universities.

However, 86 percent of respondents said they support stronger enforcement of immigration laws and border security. And nearly 64 percent were in favor of requiring local law enforcement officials to arrest illegal immigrants in Illinois.

"Some states have cracked down hard on illegal immigrants, but Illinois seems a bit more middle of the road," institute Director David Yepsen said in a release.

The telephone-based poll featured interviews with 1,000 registered voters across Illinois.

- Information from SIU Communications was used in this article.

Read more: http://thesouthern.com/news/local/artic ... z1d7CZSpa7