Poll: 63% of Americans favor letting illegal immigrants become citizens if they pass a background check and learn English

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

http://www.pollingreport.com/immigration.htm

"When the U.S. government is deciding which immigrants to admit to this country, should priority be given to people who have family members already living in the U.S., or should priority be given to people based on education, job skills and work experience?"

Family

Members 34%

Education, Skills 51%

Do you think it would be a fair statement that many of the polled would answer differently if they knew what a headache it is for an American to bring a spouse or parent to the country? Always remember that the common perception among Americans is that a spouse of an American is basically automatically afforded citizenship. They know jack about what it takes. I think that actual knowledge would change these numbers significantly.

After all, if skills and education are favored, then where does the supposed support for the millions of low skilled work visas come from? And isn't one of the premier arguments pushed for granting amnesty that the illegals have family ties here in the US specifically to their US born children? How does it make sense that family ties are only important when they benefit the illegal alien and the supposedly important factors of education and skills are thrown overboard in their favor as well?

Clearly, these reactions to the poll questions are plain emotional rather than well thought through.

Edited June 13, 2007 by ET-US2004

[natty bumppo 297]

Although the pathway to citizenship was one of the most controversial provisions of the Senate bill, the poll found the idea was backed by 63% of those surveyed — even by 58% of those who identified themselves as conservatives and 65% of Republicans.

The survey question specified that, under the proposal, citizenship would be available only to those who register their presence in the U.S., have no criminal record, pay a fine, get fingerprinted and learn English, among other requirements.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...=la-home-center

count us against it.

the USC and Brazilian citizen (spouse).

[natty bumppo 297]

...and just about 9 months ago...

November 21, 2006 - Let Illegal Immigrants Become Citizens, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll; But Do More To Tighten The Borders, Voters Say

By a 69 - 27 percent margin, American voters say illegal immigrants should be allowed into a guest worker program with the ability to work toward citizenship over a period of several years, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

Republicans support the guest worker to citizenship path 66 - 31 percent, while Democrats back it 73 - 23 percent and independent voters back it 71 - 24 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

Building a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexican border is "enough for now," 24 percent of voters say, but 71 percent say, "additional measures are needed from Congress to deal with illegal immigrants entering the country."

By a narrow 48 - 44 percent margin, American voters think President George W. Bush and Democrats in Congress will be able to work together on the immigration issue.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=988

Do you really know the size and reputation of Quinnipiac University? Or is Google your friend? A good small school, but no where the think tank you are showing it to be.

[natty bumppo 297]

I wish the illegals had a medical exam and background check. Without them 100% have the potential to be HIV infected mass murderers.

why, cuz all of them are rapists or drug dealers? maybe the % of illegals who are rapists and drugdealers are the ones we need to be afraid of..

without hard facts ... you assume the worst.

Can you prove these illegals don't have STD's? Show us where their medical records are available for the US gov't to review and prove they’re STD free.

If not, then we must assume that 100% do have STD's.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

...and just about 9 months ago...

November 21, 2006 - Let Illegal Immigrants Become Citizens, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll; But Do More To Tighten The Borders, Voters Say

By a 69 - 27 percent margin, American voters say illegal immigrants should be allowed into a guest worker program with the ability to work toward citizenship over a period of several years, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

Republicans support the guest worker to citizenship path 66 - 31 percent, while Democrats back it 73 - 23 percent and independent voters back it 71 - 24 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

Building a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexican border is "enough for now," 24 percent of voters say, but 71 percent say, "additional measures are needed from Congress to deal with illegal immigrants entering the country."

By a narrow 48 - 44 percent margin, American voters think President George W. Bush and Democrats in Congress will be able to work together on the immigration issue.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=988

Do you really know the size and reputation of Quinnipiac University? Or is Google your friend? A good small school, but no where the think tank you are showing it to be.

Quinnipiac U runs Quinnipiac Polling Institute. They've been doing polls for many years and are well-respected in the space. Most of their work is primarily in the New England/Mid-Atlantic area.

I wish the illegals had a medical exam and background check. Without them 100% have the potential to be HIV infected mass murderers.

why, cuz all of them are rapists or drug dealers? maybe the % of illegals who are rapists and drugdealers are the ones we need to be afraid of..

without hard facts ... you assume the worst.

Can you prove these illegals don't have STD's? Show us where their medical records are available for the US gov't to review and prove they’re STD free.

If not, then we must assume that 100% do have STD's.

That's retarded.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

without hard facts ... you assume the worst.

Can you prove these illegals don't have STD's? Show us where their medical records are available for the US gov't to review and prove they’re STD free.

If not, then we must assume that 100% do have STD's.

That sounds slightly suspect to me. OK - they're here illegally. Not sure what purpose it serves demonising them further and equating them with the worst types of violent criminals.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Quinnipiac U runs Quinnipiac Polling Institute. They've been doing polls for many years and are well-respected in the space. Most of their work is primarily in the New England/Mid-Atlantic area.

New England, eh? Are those the folks giving Teddy his ideas???

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

OK - they're here illegally. Not sure what purpose it serves demonising them further and equating them with the worst types of violent criminals.

Equating? No. They do have an above average portion of those among them, though. Something to keep in mind.

[natty bumppo 297]

...and just about 9 months ago...

November 21, 2006 - Let Illegal Immigrants Become Citizens, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll; But Do More To Tighten The Borders, Voters Say

By a 69 - 27 percent margin, American voters say illegal immigrants should be allowed into a guest worker program with the ability to work toward citizenship over a period of several years, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

Republicans support the guest worker to citizenship path 66 - 31 percent, while Democrats back it 73 - 23 percent and independent voters back it 71 - 24 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

Building a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexican border is "enough for now," 24 percent of voters say, but 71 percent say, "additional measures are needed from Congress to deal with illegal immigrants entering the country."

By a narrow 48 - 44 percent margin, American voters think President George W. Bush and Democrats in Congress will be able to work together on the immigration issue.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=988

Do you really know the size and reputation of Quinnipiac University? Or is Google your friend? A good small school, but no where the think tank you are showing it to be.

Quinnipiac U runs Quinnipiac Polling Institute. They've been doing polls for many years and are well-respected in the space. Most of their work is primarily in the New England/Mid-Atlantic area.

I wish the illegals had a medical exam and background check. Without them 100% have the potential to be HIV infected mass murderers.

why, cuz all of them are rapists or drug dealers? maybe the % of illegals who are rapists and drugdealers are the ones we need to be afraid of..

without hard facts ... you assume the worst.

Can you prove these illegals don't have STD's? Show us where their medical records are available for the US gov't to review and prove they’re STD free.

If not, then we must assume that 100% do have STD's.

That's retarded.

Guess you need to spend more time in the courts and legal world.

No proof one way ... means the other side is wide open unless proven otherwise.

Edited June 13, 2007 by Natty Bumppo

[Lance27 19]

I would go out and criticize big business and those employers hiring undocument workers and I hope the govt does their job on imposing steep fines on these companies and business. I just have to say again that these people are looking for a better life for themselves and their families and as long as there are people willing to hire them, they will come.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

OK - they're here illegally. Not sure what purpose it serves demonising them further and equating them with the worst types of violent criminals.

Equating? No. They do have an above average portion of those among them, though. Something to keep in mind.

That may be - but rape is rare. Its a very small percentage of another small percentage (violent crime).

I've no doubt that the illegal population plays a part in the commission of criminal behaviours - but the "don't know" argument can't reasonably be used to suggest that because a person is undocumented that they must be a syphilitic rapist.

I realise this is an emotional issue - but its not really served well by offering up trite analogies and demonising people with broad-brush labels.

[natty bumppo 297]

without hard facts ... you assume the worst.

Can you prove these illegals don't have STD's? Show us where their medical records are available for the US gov't to review and prove they’re STD free.

If not, then we must assume that 100% do have STD's.

That sounds slightly suspect to me. OK - they're here illegally. Not sure what purpose it serves demonising them further and equating them with the worst types of violent criminals.

they will come un-checked unless stopped.

Even in the Ellis Islands days ... people of poor health were sent back. Why not now?

Are these people sneaking across the border today hiding something? Or think they are too good to submit to an examination?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

without hard facts ... you assume the worst.

Can you prove these illegals don't have STD's? Show us where their medical records are available for the US gov't to review and prove they’re STD free.

If not, then we must assume that 100% do have STD's.

That sounds slightly suspect to me. OK - they're here illegally. Not sure what purpose it serves demonising them further and equating them with the worst types of violent criminals.

they will come un-checked unless stopped.

Even in the Ellis Islands days ... people of poor health were sent back. Why not now?

Are these people sneaking across the border today hiding something? Or think they are too good to submit to an examination?

I'm not sure how useful it is to dehumanise people with that kind of labelling.

As I said - this is an emotional subject. It really doesn't need melodrama.

[natty bumppo 297]

without hard facts ... you assume the worst.

Can you prove these illegals don't have STD's? Show us where their medical records are available for the US gov't to review and prove they’re STD free.

If not, then we must assume that 100% do have STD's.

That sounds slightly suspect to me. OK - they're here illegally. Not sure what purpose it serves demonising them further and equating them with the worst types of violent criminals.

they will come un-checked unless stopped.

Even in the Ellis Islands days ... people of poor health were sent back. Why not now?

Are these people sneaking across the border today hiding something? Or think they are too good to submit to an examination?

not melodrama.

I'm not sure how useful it is to dehumanise people with that kind of labelling.

As I said - this is an emotional subject. It really doesn't need melodrama.

I'd like to believe many do not have STD's or other issues.

But ... show me the proof they do not. Otherwise ... they do.

It's not an emotional issue .... simply ... proof of innocence. meaning ... guilty unless proven innocent (I know it's supposed to be the other way ... but that's not how it really works these days)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

But ... show me the proof they do not. Otherwise ... they do.

Well you would have to know that there's no way for me, as a private individual to prove to you that every single (or even 1) illegal immigrant is disease free - so I'm not sure how that argument is relevant or how it can be assumed that they do.

To show you how ludicrous the argument is - I can also say with no degree of certainty that my downstairs neighbours don't have HIV - so should I assume they do, just because I don't know? I also can't say for certain that they are legal, US Citizens - so again should I assume they aren't just because I don't know?

BTW - Its not a crime to have a communicable disease in this country - might get you denied an immigration visa; but it is within the realm of possibility for a person to catch such a disease while in the country. Its not like the US is a disease-free nation...

Edited June 13, 2007 by erekose