(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States believe it would be impossible to order all illegal immigrants to abandon the country, according to a poll by Hart/Newhouse released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. 85 per cent of respondents think a massive deportation is unrealistic and unachievable.

An additional 76 per cent of respondents believe a proposal to have all illegal immigrants voluntarily returning to their native countries before applying to become legal U.S. citizens is also unattainable.

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.

Last month, the U.S. Senate discussed a revised immigration bill, which would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa." After paying fees, a $5,000 U.S. fine and then returning to their home countries, they could apply for permanent residency, which could be granted in eight to 13 years. The bill also includes a proposal to introduce a points system that would prioritize access to the U.S. for skilled and educated immigrants, as well as new family-reunification guidelines.

On Jun. 7, the U.S. Senate voted 45-50 on a motion to limit debate on the proposed immigration bill. Members of both the Republican and Democratic parties have suggested shifting the bill's focus towards national security as a way to save it from its current stalemate.

On Jun. 19, Republican New York congressman Peter King and Republican Texas congressman Lamar Smith introduced a new immigration reform bill, which seeks to increase the number of border guards and expedite the deportation of illegal immigrants. King defended the proposal, saying, "We should do all we can to secure the border over the next two, three years, and after that we can decide what to do with the illegal immigrants who are here. If we legalize them now, it gives an incentive for more illegal immigrants to come in."

Polling Data

Regardless of how you feel about it personally, do you think that deporting all illegal immigrants who are currently in the United States back to their native countries is a realistic and achievable goal, or not?

Regardless of how you feel about it personally, do you think that having illegal immigrants who are currently in the United States voluntarily return to their native countries before applying to become legal citizens is a realistic and achievable goal, or not?

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