USA poll indicates two thirds of citizens back immigration reform

The results of a poll published last Thursday revealed that nearly two-thirds of Americans are in favour of new immigration laws giving illegals official status and the chance to become citizens.

The survey, undertaken by the Brookings Institute and the Public Religion Research Institute, saw positive reactions to legality and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants supported by 53 per cent of Republicans and 71 per cent of Democrats. The least popular option at only 14 per cent was legal residency but no citizenship.

However, a minority of 21 per cent felt the all illegal immigrants should be identified and deported. The results would seem to support the bipartisan lawmakers and Gang of Eight who are pushing for overhaul legislation enabling illegal immigrants to work towards citizenship.

The results are impressive due to the large size of the poll, carried out via bilingual cellphone and landline conversations with over 4,500 adults. The margin of error was calculated as plus or minus two points.

Other results included 45 per cent of those interviewed agreeing that the Republican cause had been damaged election-wise by its stance on immigration. Over 64 per cent of respondents disagreed with Romney’s self-deportation strategy stance in last presidential election, involving making life so difficult for illegals that they would leave of their own accord.