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Americans Endorse Citizen Border Patrols
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe the civilians who participate in guarding the U.S.-Mexico border have a positive effect, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 52 per cent of respondents think citizen patrols would reduce illegal immigration.
In March, U.S. president George W. Bush said he was "against vigilantes in the United States of America. I'm for enforcing law in a rational way. That's why you got a Border Patrol, and they ought to be in charge of enforcing the border." 48 per cent of respondents believe the federal administration should encourage volunteers to help patrol the entire Mexican border.
Earlier this year, Arizona governor Janet Napolitano vetoed a bill which would have allowed police officers to act as immigration agents to arrest undocumented migrants. In April, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger openly endorsed the Minuteman Project—in which more than 800 volunteers guarded the Arizona-Sonora border and reported illegal activity to federal agents—saying, "Our federal government is not doing their job. It's a shame that the private citizen has to go in there and start patrolling our borders."
In July, a group of volunteer citizens called the U.S. Border Patrol Auxiliary—which is not connected in any way with the actual U.S. Border Patrol—assembled to observe and report illegal immigrants crossing into California.
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service estimates that more than 7 million illegal immigrants are currently living in the country. A recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants at 10.3 million. While California is home to most workers, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina have the greatest rates of increase.
In January 2004, Bush tabled his proposal for a major overhaul of the U.S. immigration system. The plan includes a "temporary worker program" that would grant legal status to undocumented workers, who would pay taxes, be required to return to their home country after three years, and receive no special preference if they decide to apply for permanent citizenship.
Polling Data
Would citizen patrols reduce illegal immigration?
Yes | 52% |
No | 25% |
Should the federal government encourage volunteers to help patrol the entire Mexican border?
Yes | 48% |
No | 33% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,000 American adults, conducted on Sept. 20 and Sept. 21, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.