Poll: Majority supports path to citizenship for illegals
While strengthening the country’s borders is popular with broad majorities across all groups and in all regions, a path to citizenship is considerably more divisive.
Support for stricter border control includes three-quarters of Democrats and liberals, more than eight in 10 moderates, conservatives and political independents, and a whopping 92 percent of Republicans. Securing the borders is also supported by 87 percent of whites, three-quarters of nonwhites, and bottoms out at a still-high 69 percent among Hispanics.
As noted, views on a path to citizenship are more linked to political preferences. Beyond party affiliation, 73 percent of liberals favor a path to citizenship; that declines to 53 percent of moderates, half of “somewhat” conservatives and fewer than four in 10 strong conservatives.
Notably, support for a path to citizenship reaches majorities across regions, 53 to 59 percent.
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And I should believe this because….
Clink on February 6, 2013 at 9:18 AM
Ask people if they’re cool with a pathway to citizenship if it means they have to pay higher taxes to fund the expanding entitlement state. Watch the support plummet.
Doughboy on February 6, 2013 at 9:19 AM
Bad messaging strikes again. Until the GOP can get and effective spokesperson, we will continue to see polls like this.
celticdefender on February 6, 2013 at 9:23 AM
Gee, that’s odd because every congressional and senate office I call always says they’re getting calls against it. And I call alot of offices.
More propaganda to try to cram this down our throat. Or dissuade dissent.
TxAnn56 on February 6, 2013 at 9:24 AM
Cool! I’m a minority! Where’s my free stuff? I want it now!
Dr. Frank Enstine on February 6, 2013 at 9:32 AM
Define: “path to citzenship”. Going to the back of the line is one path to citizenship. Outright amnesty is another. There are various paths that can be taken.
Path to citizenship is one of those phrases that can mean different things to different people.
ButterflyDragon on February 6, 2013 at 9:35 AM
They didn’t ask me.
backwoods conservative on February 6, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Actual ABC headline: Poll Finds a Boost for Obama on Handling Immigration
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What’s going on here, Hot Gas? Your headline isn’t supported by the content of the article. In fact, “While the president lacks majority approval on the issue overall, slightly more Americans now approve than disapprove of his approach, by 49 vs. 43 percent.”
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In addition, Ø’s hallmark disagreement with the current legislative negotiations, border enforcement, is in opposition to the American people: “In terms of specific policies, an overwhelming 83 percent support stricter border control…”
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What a mess!
ExpressoBold on February 6, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Stop calling them “illegals!” /lib
KS Rex on February 6, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Alternate Headline: Overwhelming Majority Support Securing the Border.
HumpBot Salvation on February 6, 2013 at 9:40 AM
I support a path for them too.
See that footpath heading south toward the Rio Grande, take that path to the river, cross the river, and on the other side is another path that will eventually lead you back to where you came from.
When you’re ready to enter the country legally you can follow the path to the U.S. Embassy and learn how it all works.
Bishop on February 6, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Its all in the question and how it is asked. I am in favor to a Pathway to Citizenship…. Legally. We have a process now. Follow it like my relatives did. Anything else is breaking the Law. Want to be a citizen? First respect and follow the laws of Our Country. Anything else classifies the individual as an “ILLEGAL ALIEN”
Requiring IMMEDIATE Deportation.
RandyKowalski on February 6, 2013 at 9:47 AM
BULLSH BULLSH BULLSH BULLSH BULLSH BULLSH !!!!!
Illegal immigration has brought us lower wages and higher unemployment.
This is BULL
stenwin77 on February 6, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Here’s my “path to citizenship:” ENFORCE THE LAWS AS WRITTEN.
gryphon202 on February 6, 2013 at 9:54 AM
What is wrong with the citizenship they already have…in Mexico…?
NeoKong on February 6, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Are we discussing out of status citizens, or illegal aliens?
OldEnglish on February 6, 2013 at 10:15 AM
We already have a pathway to citizenship… and there are currently 5 million waiting for their turn
mjbrooks3 on February 6, 2013 at 10:34 AM
Oh God…just get it over with and say Goodbye America.
NJ Red on February 6, 2013 at 10:37 AM
TWO PARTY EVIL MONEY CULT OF WASHINTON D.C. ENABLED BY THE MSM AND NOW THE BLOG WORLD.
The two party evil money cult spent the U.S.A. now current $20 Trillion dollars in debt.
Now they are in a panic and lust for new tax slave/wage slave/vote slave “marks” to keep the ponzi tax and spend cult alive.
They should fear U.S. the outcome will be what they deserve.
APACHEWHOKNOWS on February 6, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Heads up; this poll was taken in East LA.
BobMbx on February 6, 2013 at 10:44 AM
Once again, we see the libtards changing the argument.
Old: Global Warming, Illegal Alien
New: Climate Change, Out of Status
BobMbx on February 6, 2013 at 10:46 AM
Oh bullshyt.
darwin on February 6, 2013 at 11:10 AM
“Path to Citizenship” can mean an awful lot of things. It could be a highly restrictive process that only 10-20% of “out of status new American immigrants” qualify for (see Conyers comments) that takes two decades and can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Or it could simply involve making an affidavit, filling out a form, paying a small fee, and waiting a few months.
I’m sure ABC bent over backwards to make sure those polled knew exactly what they meant before answering. /s
Now Comrade O and his Chicago Way Gang of vote manufacturers will propose whatever they want, label it the “Path to Citizenship Act”, claim a majority of the public supports it, demonize anyone who opposes it, and ram it through Congress, with the full support of their Mainstream Media Propoganda Machine, AKA the MSM. Of course, that was the plan all along anyway, with or without polls.
farsighted on February 6, 2013 at 11:14 AM
They should poll only US citizens and not “adults”. Only citizens have the right to express an opinion about this.
Rose on February 6, 2013 at 11:42 AM
I care as little what the majority thinks about illegals being citizens, or pot legalization, or welfare ‘reform’ as I care about asstoneri the racist whiner thinks about history. The majority are fools as demonstrated by the last two elections.
MelonCollie on February 6, 2013 at 1:08 PM