(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few Americans were completely in favour of the changes to existing illegal immigration guidelines proposed by the United States Senate, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. Just 30 per cent of respondents supported the bill.

Conversely, 28 per cent of respondents thought the legislation went too far, 15 per cent said it did not go far enough, four per cent opposed it for other reasons, and 22 per cent were unsure.

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. 28, the U.S. Senate failed to approve a motion to limit debate on the bill after a 46-53 vote. Republican South Carolina senator Jim DeMint expressed satisfaction, saying, "The only victory here is for the American people. The people responded to this issue in a very emotional and just a very engaged way, which changed the minds of many people here in the Senate."

Republican Louisiana senator David Vitter dismissed claims that anti-immigrant sentiment was responsible for the bill's failure, declaring, "For anybody to suggest that was about racism, I think, itself, is the height of ugliness and arrogance."

Polling Data

As you may know, the U.S. Senate has been considering a bill to change the way the government handles the issue of illegal immigration. Based on what you have read or heard about all the proposals in the Senate immigration bill, do you favour or oppose that bill? (If Oppose) Do you oppose the Senate immigration bill mostly because you think it goes too far toward helping illegal immigrants, or mostly because it does not go far enough toward helping illegal immigrants?

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