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Alabamians Would Deport Illegal Immigrants
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the Yellowhammer State believe every person who entered the United States illegally should be sent home, according to a poll by the University of South Alabama published in the Mobile Register. 56 per cent of respondents in Alabama support identifying and deporting all illegal immigrants.
In March, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million.
On May 15, 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.
On May 25, the U.S. Senate voted 62-36 to pass an immigration reform bill that places illegal immigrants in three different groups depending on the amount of time they have spent in the U.S. The plan favours persons who have lived in the U.S. for more than five years, who would have the option of becoming citizens in six years after paying penalties and back taxes, learning English, and passing a background check.
Yesterday, former U.S. president Bill Clinton discussed the situation, saying, "(Massive deportation) is not only a desperate measure, but madness. (...) There is no perfect solution, but the law must be realistic and humane."
Polling Data
Would you support or oppose an effort to identify and deport all illegal immigrants back to their home countries?
Support | 56% |
Oppose | 31% |
Not sure | 13% |
Source: University of South Alabama / The Mobile Register
Methodology: Interviews with 401 Alabama likely voters, conducted from Jun. 5 to Jun. 8, 2005. Margin of error is 5 per cent.