Most Support Citizenship Path for Illegal Immigrants

48% not happy with how Obama is handling immigration: poll
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 10, 2012 12:26 PM CST
Most Support Citizenship Path for Illegal Immigrants
In this April 5, 2011 file photo, illegal immigrant Viridiana Martinez, right, is comforted by an activist as an Atlanta policeman warns her of arrest unless she moves while protesting.   (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Once the fiscal cliff has been put to bed, immigration reform will reportedly be President Obama's No. 1 priority, and a series of surveys indicate most voters will be behind him. Some 62% of American voters support giving illegal or undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship, a new poll finds, while 35% oppose the idea. The Politico/George Washington University (PDF) poll echoes a November survey that found 57% backed the plan, with 39% opposing it; a September poll had similar findings, CNN notes. More of the poll's nitty-gritty:

  • 74% of Democrats and 61% of independents support such a plan
  • A plurality of Republicans are behind it, 49%-45%
  • More than 75% of voters back the DREAM Act's effort to allow undocumented immigrants' kids permanent US residence if they finish college or serve in the military
  • And while immigration may soon be Obama's most important issue, the same can't be said for voters; only 2% ranked it as their most important
  • But his tackling it could move some voter numbers in his favor: Those polled currently disapprove of Obama's handling of immigration, 48%-45%
(More illegal immigration stories.)

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