Washington Examiner
Voters understand the immigration debate
Scott Rasmussen
April 27, 2012 -- 5:38 PM
As the U.S. Supreme Court wrestles with the Obama administration's
challenge of Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigration, the overall issue of
immigration remains misunderstood by both political parties in Washington.
Many Washington Republicans confuse voter opposition to illegal immigration
with opposition to all immigration. Their remarks often contain an ugly
tone toward those who want to come to America.
Many Washington Democrats confuse public respect for hardworking immigrants
with a belief that borders and immigration laws don't matter. Their
remarks often contain an ugly tone toward those who believe the nation's
immigration laws should be enforced.
On the issues before the court, most voters tend to side with the state of
Arizona rather than the federal government. Fifty-nine percent of voters
nationwide, for example, agree with one of the law's most controversial
provisions, that police officers should routinely check the immigration status
of those they pull over for other violations. Most voters would like to have
a law like Arizona's in their own state.
But that says more about voter respect for the law than it does about the
immigration issue. Voters figure if there's a law on the books, the
government should enforce it.
That's why, among voters who are angry about the immigration issue, 83
percent are angry at the federal government rather than the illegal immigrants
themselves. It's also why two-thirds of voters think those who knowingly
hire illegal immigrants are a bigger problem than the people they employ.
Simply put, most Americans are angry at those who would entice others to break
the law. They're not angry at people who are willing to work hard to
provide for their families.
It's a little bit like the public desire to go after drug pushers rather
than occasional users of illegal drugs.
Still, there's another reason for the disconnect between official
Washington and the American people on immigration.
In Washington, the entire focus of the immigration debate is on how to deal
with those already living here illegally. For voters, this is a secondary
concern. The bigger concern is how to secure the border so future
immigrants enter the county according to the rules. Routinely, in surveys for
years,
60 percent or more of voters say securing the borders is a higher priority
than legalizing the status of the illegal immigrants who are here now.
Once voters are convinced that illegal immigration is a thing of the past,
it will be easier to address the status of those in the country already.
But voters don't believe the federal government has any interest in
securing the border. In fact, most believe the policies of the federal
government
are designed to encourage illegal immigration. This offends voters who want
to respect the rule of law. If immigration laws — or any laws — are
routinely ignored, then the government loses credibility.
If the laws are enforced, 61 percent of voters favor a welcoming policy
that lets anybody come to America except national security threats, criminals
and those who would live off the U.S. welfare system. All who would like to
work hard and pursue the American Dream are welcome.
The bottom line is that voters remember what many in Washington often
forget: America is a nation of immigrants — and of laws. The American people
want both traditions to be honored.
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