Poll on illegal immigrants a mixed message
Published 11:10 pm Wednesday, December 5, 2007
WASHINGTON — One-third of Americans want to deprive illegal immigrants of social services, including public schooling and emergency-room care, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll has found.
Still, in a sign of the ambivalence among voters about an emotionally charged issue, a strong bipartisan majority — 60 percent — favors allowing illegal immigrants who have not committed crimes to become citizens if they pay fines, learn English and meet other requirements.
The poll indicates illegal immigration is not the most important issue on voters’ minds, but most people view it as a key concern.
Asked what problem is a top priority for presidential candidates to address, 15 percent said illegal immigration — the fifth most-mentioned topic behind the war in Iraq, the economy, protecting the country from terrorist attacks, and health care.
