These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Most Voters See College, Military As Ways for Children of Illegals To Become U.S. Citizens
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Democrats are trying to push the Dream Act through Congress this year , "providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who arrive in the United States before age 16, earn a high school diploma, reside here for at least five years and complete two years of college or military service," according to the New York Times.
New Rasmussen Reports polling finds that most voters believe children brought to this country illegally who complete two years of college or serve in the military should get a chance at U.S. citizenship. But they also agree that allowing this route to citizenship just encourages more illegal immigration.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of Likely U.S. Voters think a child who is brought here illegally and completes two years of college should get a chance at citizenship. Thirty-six percent (36%) disagree and say they not get that opportunity, and 12% are not sure.
Support is even higher for those who serve honorably in the U.S. military. Seventy-eight percent (78%) say a child brought to this country illegally who is in the military ought to get a chance at citizenship. Only 14% feel otherwise.
However, just 20% think local government should be required to provide a public school education for a child brought into the United States illegally by his or her parents. Sixty-four percent (64%) disagree and say local governments should not be required to educate the children of illegals. Fifteen percent (15%) aren't sure.
Overall, most voters (55%) say that making it possible for children of illegal immigrants to gain citizenship by attending college will encourage more illegal immigration. Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree and 18% more are undecided.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of Mainstream voters believe this policy will foster more illegal immigration, but 50% of the Political Class disagree.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 16-17, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology .
It's worth noting the difference question wording can make in the response. These voters are expressing support for "a chance" at citizenship.
When voters were asked in October 2007 whether children of illegal immigrants who finish two years of college should be "given" citizenship, 59% said no. But 57% at that time did believe that children of illegal immigrants who serve in the military should be given U.S. citizenship
Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans oppose automatic citizenship for a child born in this country to an illegal immigrant .
Voters have consistently said for years that when it comes to immigration reform, gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already living in the United States.
Republicans and voters not affiliated with either major party believe overwhelmingly that local governments should not be required to provide a public school education for the children of illegal immigrants. Democrats are more narrowly divided on the question.
Most unaffiliated voters agree with most Democrats, however, that a child brought to this country illegally who later completes two years of college should be a given a chance to obtain citizenship. A plurality (49%) of GOP voters disagree.
But 69% of Republicans and 52% of unaffiliateds think such a policy will encourage more illegal immigration. By a 45% to 37% margin, Democrats don't believe that to be true.
Republicans strongly concur with the others, though, that those who serve in the military should be given a chance for U.S. citizenship.
In general, the Political Class is much more supportive of efforts to make the children of illegal immigrants U.S. citizens than Mainstream voters are.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of all voters say they have been following recent news stories about the Dream Act and immigration reform.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters say the U.S. Justice Department should take legal action against cities that provide sanctuary for illegal immigrants. Even more think the federal government should cut off funds to these "sanctuary cities."
But 56% oppose the Justice Department's decision to challenge the legality of Arizona's new immigration law in federal court. Sixty-one percent (61%), in fact, favor passage of a law like Arizona's in their own state.
By a two-to-one margin, voters believe the policies of the federal government encourage people to enter the United States illegally .
As the country wrestles with a future of historic-level deficits, 67% of voters say that illegal immigrants are a significant strain on the U.S. budget . Sixty-six percent (66%) say the availability of government money and services draws illegal immigrants to the United States.