On behalf of America’s Voice, Benenson Strategy Group conducted a national poll from May 9 to 12, 2009. The poll surveyed 1,000 likely voters and had a margin of error of 3.1%.
Three-quarters of voters supported congressional action on immigration reform in 2009; 57% said the issue was crucial due to economic situation. Seventy-five percent of respondents believed Congress should tackle immigration reform in 2009. The sense of urgency was boosted by the poor economy. 57% of respondents said that the poor economy makes it more crucial that Congress address immigration reform as opposed to the 39% who believed it was not the right time. In general, voters support a member of Congress willing to tackle immigration more so than one who will not.
Over two-thirds of voters support pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants–including 62% of Republicans. Support for comprehensive immigration reform has remained stable since a previous poll taken in November 2008. Roughly the same percentage of voters, 68%, support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants allowing them to register, meet certain requirements and become legal taxpayers. Support is bipartisan, as 62% of Republicans support the same position. Only 20% of voters believed that undocumented immigrants should be required to leave, and 10% believe that they should be allowed to stay temporarily.
Over 70% of voters would rather see undocumented immigrants stay and become legal taxpayers than force them to leave. An overwhelming margin of voters, 71% to 26%, believed that undocumented immigrants should take steps to become legal taxpayers. Seventy-one percent of polls respondents also believe that those undocumented immigrants should not be forced to leave and were not responsible for taking American jobs.