This article is written by the same reporter that interviewed me.


http://www.thestate.com/local/story/326055.html

Local / Metro Posted on Sun, Feb. 24, 2008reprint or license print email
Winthrop/ETV poll | Illegal Immigrants | Let them stay? S.C. divided
Most say issue important, but are split on whether to deport, grant citizenship
By NOELLE PHILLIPS - nophillips@thestate.com
Related Content
S.C. on illegal immigration
Winthrop/ETV poll results
Winthrop/ETV Poll | Exclusive questions for The State
Almost seven in 10 South Carolinians say illegal immigration is an extremely or very important issue.

But there is no clear agreement about what should be done.

• More than four in 10 South Carolinians think illegal immigrants should be immediately deported.

• But more than a quarter of state residents think the immigrants should be fined and allowed to stay as temporary workers.

• And almost another quarter think illegal immigrants should be fined and allowed to stay in the country while they apply for citizenship.

Those are some of the key findings of a new Winthrop University/ETV poll. The poll’s questions about illegal immigration were asked specifically for The State newspaper.

The split among those willing to let illegal immigrants stay in the country — whether temporarily or permanently — weakens their voices in the roaring immigration debate.

“The people who say, ‘Let them stay,’ ... split,â€