63% in the poll agree with the option "let immigrants who have lived here a certain number of years apply for legal status and eventually become permanent citizens if they meet specific conditions, like paying a fine and back taxes."

That's essentially 68% supporting a form of amnesty. The majority in the poll did strongly support better border security, but that's not much consolation. I'm certainly not giving up but the result of this poll is rather bleak.

No doubt more polls will come out before the Senate acts, but perhaps the focus should shift to asking how well the Hispanic illegals especially can fit into a modern high-tech society which is demanding more top scientists, engineers, mathematicians, etc. I believe a very small percentage of Hispanic illegals even have a high school degree.

Detailed poll question and responses follow:
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21. I'll read three proposals for illegal immigrants who currently live and work in the United States. Please tell me which you prefer.

ONE: Let immigrants who have lived here a certain number of years apply
for legal status and eventually become permanent citizens if they meet
specific conditions, like paying a fine and back taxes

TWO: Let them pay a fee and work here for a limited number of years after which they'd have to leave the country

THREE: Declare all illegal immigrants to be felons and not allow them to
work here legally

Which of these would you prefer - a program that may lead to legal status and permanent citizenship, a program allowing them to work here for a limited number of years but not remain permanently, or no temporary work program and felony status?

Program that may lead to legal status and permanent citizenship 63%
Program allowing them to work here but not remain permanently 14%
No temporary work program and felony status 20%
None of them (vol.) 2%
No opinion 1%
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Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/po ... 041006.htm