June 20, 06

NEWS / GOP Voters Want Immigration Solutions This Year - Poll

Hardbeatnews, NEW YORK, N.Y., Fri. June 23, 2006: Some 72 percent of 800 likely Republican voters polled say it is extremely or very important that the U.S. Congress solves the problem of illegal immigration this year.

That??™s according to new survey conduced by The Tarrance Group between June 12-15 for the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research and released yesterday at a press conference at the National Press Club.

The poll, which comes as House Speaker Denis Hastert called for public hearings to discuss the Senate??™s approved version of an immigration reform measure, also found that while those surveyed strongly support border enforcement, there is more support for a comprehensive immigration reform plan that provides current illegal immigrants with an opportunity for earned citizenship.

Eighty percent of the 800 voters support an earned legalization program in which illegal immigrants can earn legal status and eventual citizenship by working, paying taxes, learning English, and waiting behind those already waiting to immigrate to the United States.

While 85 percent of likely Republican voters believe it is not realistic to deport 12 million illegal immigrants and 76 percent say that illegal immigrants would not return home if an attrition policy was implemented.

On the issue of amnesty, 48 percent of likely GOP voters said they did not believe the comprehensive reform, like the one passed by the Senate, is amnesty while 39 percent did believe it is.

However, 75 percent of those polled said they support a plan that provides resources to greatly increase border security, imposes much tougher penalties on employers who hire illegal workers, supports earned legalization and allows additional foreign workers to come to the United States to work for a temporary periods.

Support for the plan was found to be strong even among base Republican voter demographics like strong Republicans, very conservative Republicans, white conservative Christians and those who listen to news talk radio on a daily basis.

And some 60 percent said they??™d likely support a candidate who supports this type of plan. Only 17 percent of those polled opposed the plan and 8 percent were unsure.

In contrast, support among likely Republican voters for an enforcement with guest workers plan stood at only 47 percent. ??“ Hardbeatnews.com

Tags: legalization,