NYT/CBS Poll Highlights Continued Support for Sound Solutions and Practical Policies
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Washington, DC - New national polling numbers show that the American people strongly support comprehensive immigration reform and expect action during President Obama's first term. <br />
An April New York Times/CBS poll asked nearly 1000 Americans what should be done about immigrants working in the U.S. illegally: should they "be allowed to stay in their jobs, and to eventually apply for U.S. citizenship"; "allowed to stay in their jobs only as temporary guest workers, but NOT to apply for U.S. citizenship"; or "required to leave their jobs and leave the U.S." Fully 44% chose a path to citizenship, 21% chose temporary legal status, and only 30% supported a requirement to leave the U.S. This compares with 38% who chose a path to citizenship, 28% who chose temporary status, and 28% who chose removal in a previous NYT/CBS poll from December 2007.
"While immigration reform may be ‘controversial' on rightwing radio and cable TV, it is ‘common sense' to a majority of Americans," said Frank Sharry, Executive director of America's Voice. "Nearly 2/3 of the American people support a policy that brings immigrants who are here illegally out of the shadows to apply for work permits, rather than forcing them to leave," he continued.
The poll also asked about the likelihood of President Obama bringing about "significant immigration reform" his first term in office. Fifty-nine percent said they thought reform in Obama's first term was "likely" (9% "very likely" and 50% "somewhat likely"), while 35% though reform was "not likely" (26% "not very likely" and 9% "not at all likely").
