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Nearly Half of Voters Want an Arizona-like Immigration Law in Their States

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Forty-eight percent of voters would like to see their state adopt a law similar to the one enacted by Arizona to reduce the number of illegal immigrants, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted May 19-24. Thirty-five percent oppose doing so and 17 percent are undecided.

Seventy-one percent of Republicans want their states to move in Arizona's direction. Independents favor it by a 51 percent to 33 percent margin with 20 percent undecided while Democrats oppose such a law by 51 percent to 29 percent, with 20 percent undecided.

White voters favor enacting such a law by 53 percent to 32 percent with 15 percent undecided, while blacks oppose doing so by 43 percent to 26 percent, with 31 percent undecided, as do Hispanics, by a 52 percent to 37 percent margin, with 11 percent undecided.

illegal immigrationRasmussen Reports has found similar results in state polls it has done where it began asking voters whether they wanted an Arizona-like law. So far, those results include Georgia (55 percent in favor), Kentucky (63 percent), New Mexico (55 percent), Oregon (53 percent), South Dakota (62 percent), Washington state (52 percent) and Wisconsin (57 percent).

"The Arizona immigration law has emerged as a major divide in the country, but the numbers are on the side of those supporting it," said Quinnipiac's Peter A. Brown. "The strong plurality who says they would like a similar law in their own state probably portends the law will be an issue in many, many campaigns this November across the country. Depending on how those elections and court challenges come out, copy cat Arizona laws could be a hot issue in state capitals after November."

Forty-five percent believe Arizona's law will reduce illegal immigration there while 36 percent do not, with 19 percent undecided. But 45 percent also believe it will lead to discrimination against Hispanics while 40 percent do not, with 15 percent undecided.

Three-quarters of voters oppose boycotting Arizona to show displeasure over the law.

An overwhelming majority (66 percent) believe the priority in immigration reform should be stricter enforcement of laws against illegal immigration compared to 26 percent who say it is more important for reform to provide a path for integrating illegal immigrants into American society. Eight percent were undecided.

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396 Comments

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Saluki

Once this Arizona law is in effect, I would really like to see how many employers are being arrested and fined for hiring undocumented workers. It won't happen because this is a hot political issue only used to stir up hatred, fear, anger, etc during another election year. Think about it. Employers like cheap labor where they don't have to pay all of those taxes like payroll, SS, or benefits like a vacation or sick days. All this nonsense about not knowing they were undocumented until after getting caught is just plain bull hockey. Right now, the employer has nothing to fear if the worker gets deported.

June 25 2010 at 10:21 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
ocracokelight

simple solution; get caught hiring an illegal $20,000 fine or 1 year in jail or both. Creates jobs for our own welfare receiptants who are capable of working. cut off welfare and the un-employment goes down. For terriorests; Automatic firing sqaud and buried at a pig slaughter house dump site. Check and see how Balckjack Perishing did in the Philipines to put down muslim terriorest acts.

June 23 2010 at 6:03 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Keith

Let the Government continue to ignore and challenge the will of the people, because the people are beginning, finally, to the challenge the government to perform its duties under the constitution of the United States. If the American people had wanted to absorb the population of Mexico we would have done it after we marched into Mexico City, in 1847.

If American sneaks into my home uninvited he would be shot (should they survive), hospitalized, arrested and do jail time. If an illegal sneaks into America uninvited they are provided foodstamps, medical coverage , an education, and lobbyists to give them rights not afforded them in their on country.

I think its time we marched into Washington and rode both parties out on a rail.

June 19 2010 at 11:45 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Keith's comment
Saluki

@ Keith, if undocumented workers in your state are getting welfare, that is your state's problem. Especially if your state traditionally votes GOP and is run by GOP.

June 25 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
mark609699

Scotts,
Couldn't have said it better myself. Wake up Obama before a civil war erupts

June 18 2010 at 10:22 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Francisca

I don't think this is a left or right wing thing. This is an American thing. It's plain and simple to understand. Illegal immigration= breaking the law. That is the issue. More power to Arizona for enforcing our laws!!!!!!!!!!

June 18 2010 at 10:04 PM Report abuse +8 rate up rate down Reply
insman2

I have to carry and ID with me at all times and I'm a U S citizen. I don't mind showing it when asked.

June 18 2010 at 5:53 PM Report abuse +10 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to insman2's comment
Saluki

@insman, only if you are driving an automobile. Other than that, you are not required to carry identification.

June 25 2010 at 10:25 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Scotts

At last count, an estimated 100,000 illegal immigrants have already left Arizona since the passage of this law. This law alone solves our border problem, absent a border fence. Take away public assistance, promise deportation, promise jail time & fines to employers, and problem solved. Liberal politicians who are proponents of providing tax dollars to sustain our illegal immigrant population should be indicted for misappropriation of tax revenue or at least recalled for their failure to carry out their fidiciary responsibilities. It should be a crime punishable by prison time. Our nation's economy and the individual citizen's pocketbook can no longer sustain this forced philanthropy.

June 18 2010 at 5:21 PM Report abuse +9 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Scotts's comment
Saluki

Scott, please get real. This issue didn't come about during the last 2 yrs. Don't forget that the Greatest President ever, Ron Reagan gave amnesty to over 4 million undocumented workers in the 80's..I don't see any one really discussing that issue though.

June 25 2010 at 10:26 AM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
cchuckrink

I WISH THAT CALIFORNIA WOULD ADOPT ARIZONA'S LAW. WE NEED TO ENFORCE OUR LAWS AND THROW OUT ALL POLITICIANS THAT WANT OPEN BORDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE CARE OF MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS, LET ALONE THE TERRORISTS THAT HAVE CROSSED OVER THE BORDERS...........

June 18 2010 at 4:33 PM Report abuse +7 rate up rate down Reply
Jim

Most citizens are clearly in favor of enforcing the laws at all levels. It is a cornerstone of good citizenship to support law enforcement. Those opposing the Arizona law are also opposing the federal immigration laws as well. How should these federal laws be enforced? The President and members of his cabinet should not undermind existing federal laws on this or other matters. If they oppose the existing laws, introduce legislation to change them. Otherwise, enforce the laws as written.

June 18 2010 at 3:45 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
mark

We have Laws to Protect Americans,Americans,Americans,AMERICANS from foreign INVADERS.

June 03 2010 at 9:40 PM Report abuse +16 rate up rate down Reply

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