Americans believe U.S. Government helps illegal immigration instead of curbing it.
According to a Rasmussen Reports survey, 57% of likely voters think that government policies spur illegal immigration. 21% believe the federal government does not encourage illegal immigration, and 22% are not certain either way. The poll was conducted February 2-3 and included 1,000 likely voters and has a +/- 3 % margin of error.
The questions from the survey were as follows:
1* In terms of immigration legislation, which is more important – gaining control of the border or legalizing the status of undocumented workers already living in the United States?
2* Some people believe that the goal of immigration policy should be to keep out national security threats, criminals, and those who would come here to live off our welfare system. Beyond that, all immigrants would be welcome. Do you agree or disagree with that goal for immigration policy?
3* Do the policies and practices of the federal government encourage people to enter the United States illegally?
4* Should the U.S. military be used along the border with Mexico to prevent illegal immigration?
5* Which is the better approach to dealing with illegal immigration—allowing individual states to act on their own to enforce immigration laws or relying upon the federal government to enforce immigration laws?
68% of respondents prioritize securing the border over legalization of the undocumented workers, and only 25% have the opposite view.
52% would like for U.S. to welcome all immigrants except those who are a threat to national security, criminals or live off the welfare system and 64% think U.S. military should be used along the border to stop illegal immigration.
And finally, 47% believe immigration laws should be enforced by the federal government, 44% believe individual states should enforce the laws.
Whether voters here in Georgia believe in state enforcing immigration or not, a new Arizona-style bill, SB 40, has been introduced in the Senate and similar HB 87 in the House. Georgia has recently ranked as the 7thstate with the largest illegal immigration population, behind California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois.
