A new national survey has found that 50 percent of “likely U.S. voters” support the idea of legislation which would grant amnesty to illegal immigrants and ultimately allow them to achieve permanent U.S. residency.
The survey, done by the veteran Rasmussen polling firm, also shows that 22 percent of respondents “strongly support” such legislation.
Meanwhile, 43 percent of likely voters oppose amnesty, including 28 percent who “strongly oppose” the idea.
The argument for and against seems to follow party lines, too. According to Rasmussen, the survey of 1,177 likely voters, conducted Oct. 12-14, revealed that 70 percent of Democrats support amnesty, while 63 percent of Republicans oppose the ideas. Among Independent voters, 44 percent support amnesty and 46 percent oppose it.
The survey has a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points, with a 95 percent level of confidence.
Rasmussen pollsters also found that 48 percent of likely voters would “support a policy of deporting all illegal immigrants, including 30% who would Strongly Support such a policy.” On the other hand, 47 percent oppose deporting all illegal immigrants, including 28 percent who Strongly Oppose deportation.
Party polarization on this policy is clear. Sixty-nine percent of Republicans support deportation of all illegal aliens, while 65 percent of Democrats oppose deportation. Independents “are almost evenly split, with 45% supporting and 49% opposing a policy of deporting all illegal immigrants,” Rasmussen reported.
Rasmussen’s announcement went on to explain, “The same dynamic is apparent in regard to so-called “sanctuary state” policies, where states refuse to assist the federal government in conducting deportations of illegal immigrants. Forty-eight percent (48%) of all Likely Voters support sanctuary state policies, including 30% who Strongly Support such policies, while 42% are opposed, including 31% who Strongly Oppose sanctuary state policies. Ten percent (10%) are not sure.”
Diving further into this controversy, Rasmussen revealed that 65 percent of Democrats support sanctuary state policies, while 58 percent of Republicans oppose the policy, and among Independents, 42 percent support the idea and 46 oppose sanctuary state policies.
