Illegal Immigration:

Stronger Border Control and Immigration Law Enforcement vs. a Path to Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants in the U.S. or Both.

The Pew Research Center on December 6th, 2011, released results of a survey they conducted November 9-14 with a sample group of 2,001 adults, 18 or older, and living in all 50 states and Washington D.C. The survey was comprised of two questions:

    • What should be the priority for dealing with illegal immigration in the U.S.? (answers 1 & 2 randomized)

    1. Better border security and stronger enforcement of our immigration laws
    2. Creating a way for illegal immigrants already here to become citizens if they meet certain requirements
    3. Should both be given equal priority
    4. None of these
    5. Don’t know/refused

    • Do you think an illegal immigrant who went to high school in your state and is accepted to a public college should be eligible for the in-state tuition rate, or shouldn’t they?

    1. Should be eligible
    2. Should not be eligible
    3. Don’t know/refused

In addition to the two questions, demographic questions were asked: race, age, education, family income, and political party affiliation.

Snapshot results:

    • On the question of what should be the priority for dealing with illegal immigration, 43% say both better border security and enforcement of immigration laws as well as creating a way toward citizenship for illegal immigrants should be a priority; however, more than twice as many Republicans as Democrats say the priority should only be better border security and stricter law enforcement (47% to 22%)

    • On the question of whether illegal immigrants who graduate from high school in their state should be eligible for the in-state tuition rate, the result was 48% to 46%, in favor of eligibility.

The results of the survey demonstrate partisan divisions and differences concerning immigration policy. To see the full results, read the Pew Research Study.