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.
