(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States have a clear idea of the way their authorities should deal with illegal immigration, according to a poll by Zogby International for Judicial Watch. 66 per cent of respondents think more emphasis should be placed on law enforcement, and 72 per cent would enlist local officers for this duty.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States have a clear idea of the way their authorities should deal with illegal immigration, according to a poll by Zogby International for Judicial Watch. 66 per cent of respondents think more emphasis should be placed on law enforcement, and 72 per cent would enlist local officers for this duty.
In March 2006, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million.
In May 2006, U.S. president George W. Bush addressed the nation to discuss his immigration proposals. Bush outlined five clear objectives: securing the borders, creating a temporary worker program, holding employers to account for the workers they hire, allowing illegal immigrants “who have roots” in the country to apply for citizenship, and helping newcomers assimilate into American society. 79 per cent of respondents disagree with using taxpayer funds to operate day labourer sites that help illegal immigrants.
On Apr. 9, U.S. president George W. Bush explained his views, saying, “People are coming here to put food on the table, and they’re doing jobs Americans are not doing. (…) Many of them have no lawful way to come to America, and so they’re sneaking in. (The U.S.-Mexico border) should be open to trade and lawful immigration, and shut down to criminals and drug dealers and terrorists and coyotes and smugglers, people who prey on innocent life.”
Democratic New Jersey senator Robert Menendez questioned Bush’s plan, declaring, “President Bush’s proposal would require undocumented immigrants to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fees in order to legalize their status, imposing an often impossible financial burden on hard-working immigrant families struggling to put food on their tables and holding on to the dream of earning citizenship.”
Polling Data
When addressing the issue of illegal immigration, should there be more or less emphasis placed on law enforcement, or should it remain about the same as it is now?
More | 66% |
Less | 5% |
About the same | 24% |
Not sure | 5% |
Do you agree or disagree that local law enforcement officers should help enforce federal immigration laws?
Agree | 72% |
Disagree | 23% |
Not sure | 6% |
Do you agree or disagree that public officials should use taxpayer funds to operate day labourer sites that help illegal aliens?
Agree | 14% |
Disagree | 79% |
Not sure | 7% |
Source: Zogby International / Judicial Watch
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,039 American adults, conducted from Mar. 22 to Mar. 26, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
