POLL: Most open to letting 'illegal' immigrants STAY

[Bluebear]

WASHINGTON - A slim majority of Americans are open to allowing undocumented workers to obtain some sort of temporary legal status to remain in the United States, with stronger support for the idea among Democrats, younger adults and more educated Americans, a new poll finds.

Overall, 56 percent of Americans favor offering illegal immigrants a shot at some kind of legal status; roughly two-thirds of those ages 18-34 like the idea and an equal share of those with a college education agree, the AP-Ipsos survey found.

While Democrats were more likely to support temporary worker status, with 62 percent favoring the idea, even among Republicans there was majority support, by a narrower 52 percent, according to the poll...

Two-thirds of Americans think illegal immigrants fill jobs that most Americans don't want, the poll found.

Americans were skeptical that erecting a fence along the border with Mexico would reduce the number of illegal immigrants — two-thirds doubted it would work.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060402/ap_on_re_us/immigration_ap_poll

[BrainRants]

1. This is another slam dunk issue if the Dems want it.

Once again we have polls on our side on another major administration policy.

Will we squander it?

[Cobalt Violet]

11. And forever destroy the chance to reach out to the blue collar workers.

That's the mantra AFTER every lost election. "We need to find a way to reach out to the blue collar workers", they all say.

This is not a slam dunk issue. We are just as divided as the repukes on this issue. Democrats better be careful not to side with the Cheap Labor Corpratist. Many of us grew up with a Democratic party that would stand up for us, and that's what we expect.

[upi402]

2. I guess it depends on which poll you look at.

1,000 people is not a very large sample and the methodology is not disclosed.
A non-scientific one can be very onesided, for example;

Do you believe that the illegal employers of the 11 million to 20 million illegal aliens in the United States also should be granted amnesty?

Yes=6%, No=94%

Lou Dobbs poll

[Bluebear]

3. AP/Ipsos a non-scientific poll?

Is that their general pattern?

[upi402]

4. Oops, I don't mean to undermine.

I really didn't mean to say that. I have no idea of their method. Just wanted to make the point that I've seen all sorts of things on this subject from each pole of the political continuum.

[Bluebear]

5. Gotcha...

My sense is that if Americans see the Minutemen patrolling the border, what with their Nazi flags and the like, the xenophobic fire that the right wing is trying to flame before the election would be doused a bit.

[upi402]

6. Oh of course. It may be the thin edge of the wedge.

They would love to distract from their serious crimes, and focus on steroids and exploiting workers further.

They act, we react. We need to ignore this and steel ourselves. If we fail to focus and move straight ahead, we may lose another slam dunk. If we let them distract Americans and sidetrack progressives, we're toast.

[nickgutierrez]

7. I'm all for letting them stay...

...as long as there are provisions that force the companies that hire them to pay them equal to an American citizen. That's the real issue here.

[Bluebear]

8. Agree. nt

[upi402]

9. Would you give up your livelihood for it?

I think once people feel the realities of an illegal worker taking away their job they aren't quite so selfless.
It happened to me.
Corporatism is playing on altruism.

[Bluebear]

10. My former employers were outsourcing my job to Indians & Chinese

[cherokeeprogressive]

12. Residency YES. Citizenship NO. Not now, not ever.

Cross the border legally, and I'll welcome you with open arms. Cheat, Lie, or Steal your way into this country and all you should ever get the opportunity to do is die and pay taxes.