Economic Downturn Could Bolster US Immigration Overhaul

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By Fawn Johnson, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Tough economic times may be a boon for supporters of a broad overhaul of the nation's immigration policies, according to pollsters who are testing the waters ahead of an upcoming White House summit on immigration.

"If anything, the economic climate has actually improved the environment for immigration reform, at least as far as the public is concerned," said Celinda Lake, who heads Lake Research Partners.

"A salient issue is that reform would make immigrants all taxpayers," Lake said during a telephone briefing.

Lake Research Partners has done polling for former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden, among others.

A recent survey by Benenson Strategy Group showed that 71% of likely voters think illegal immigrants should take steps to become legal taxpayers. Benenson does polling for President Barack Obama, along with other elected officials and Fortune 100 companies.

Right now, undocumented foreigners in the U.S. aren't allowed to become legal residents. It is difficult, and sometimes impossible, for them to pay taxes.

Policy makers for years have been struggling with how to restructure immigration laws to deal with some 12 million illegal alien residents and better handle the flow of foreign workers.

Immigration overhaul also is a top priority for businesses in the U.S., from high-tech manufacturing companies to the landscaping and farming sectors. Companies such as Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Oracle Corp. (ORCL) have long advocated for greater access to foreign labor.

But lawmakers on Capitol Hill, particularly in the House, are wary of confronting the immigration issue. Both Republican and Democratic moderates fear they will be skewered by voters if they support proposals to legalize illegal workers.

Recent interviews with citizens suggest otherwise. "They want a level playing field and they don't have one today," said Lake, whose firm recently conducted a series of in-depth focus groups on immigration. "There's a huge pool of workers that are playing by a different set of rules than they are."

The public also isn't interested in harsh punishments for illegal workers, Lake's research suggests.

"Every time we talk to voters, if anything, they push back that some of the positions might be too harsh," said David Mermin, a partner at Lake Research. " Acting tougher towards immigrants is going to make them less supportive. They want those immigrants to get legal."

Despite shifts in the political and economic climates since Congress debated immigration two years ago, advocates still face long odds that sweeping legislation will be enacted this year. Lawmakers already are overwhelmed with complex proposals dealing with climate change and health care.

The last time immigration was a serious focus in Congress, committees took months to draft legislation, and floor debate dragged out for weeks longer.

Pollsters believe a majority of voters support an immigration overhaul, but opponents of legalization are organized and vocal and can endanger some elected officials if they vote to allow undocumented workers to earn legal status.

The White House summit on immigration is slated for next week.

-By Fawn Johnson, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9263; [email protected]


(END) Dow Jones Newswires
06-02-091548ET
Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

I think that is a very important point to make. Although there are relatively few opponents of CIR they know how to make themselves heard and we need to do a better job at that.

thank you for posting this!