Two-thirds of Arizonans support key points of bill

By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 4:41 PM MDT


PHOENIX -- By a fairly wide margin, most Americans support the key provisions of Arizona's new law which targets illegal immigrants.


A new poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center found that 62 percent of those questioned think police should be able to question those they believe are in this country illegally. And 67 percent say police should be able to detain anyone unable to verify their legal status.

The survey, conducted last week, also found that 73 percent said people should be required to produce papers verifying they are in this country legally.

Overall, 59 percent of the 994 people questioned said that, considering everything, they support Arizona's new law.

But the survey, which has a margin of 4 percentage points, also showed that political affiliation affects attitude. Just 45 percent of Democrats approve of the new law, versus 64 percent of independents and 82 percent of Republicans.

It also shows a direct correlation between age and support for the law: The older the person questioned, the more likely they are to support the law.

In a separate question, the Pew researchers found the public becoming increasingly disenchanted with how President Obama is -- or is not -- handling immigration policy. In November, 31 percent approved, with 48 percent disapproving; by this month the gap had widened to 25-54.

Separately Wednesday, the Gallup organization found in its own survey a spike in public concern nationwide about immigration.

Just last month, only 2 percent of 1,029 adults questioned listed immigration and illegal aliens as one of the Top Ten problems facing the nation, a figure fairly consistent with prior months. By last week, though, the issue was a top concern of 10 percent of those responding to the survey which has a 4 percentage point margin of error.

The law requires police, when practicable, to inquire about the immigration status of anyone they believe is not in this country legally. It also permits police to charge illegal immigrants with violating state law.

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    republicanblack wrote on May 20, 2010 11:49 PM:

    " Well that's the thing, it federalizes the state. That's unconstitutional duh? Can the police arrest my broker because he's inside trading, or if my bank is ripping me off, can the local police go to the bankers and say stop ripping me off; NO!! That's why michael vick got charged with state and federal charges. But its not even about that. Now that I actually read the bill and considered the tools the Arizona legislature had, I have now changed my view on the law. This is just a way to drive a wedge between the people, classic divide and conquer. I came across this article that proves that point, ROYALLY. Check this out, and like me I bet you will change your view on the whole thing.

    search "Arizona immigration law lies & divides" "

    Prudence wrote on May 19, 2010 9:47 PM:

    " Two-thirds of Arizonans and a majority of Americans approve the Arizona model immigration law. The Feds. haven't done their job, now it's great to see the Sates taking care of responsibilities for enforcing immigration laws. Illegal should be illegal in all the states, but without a functional federal government, it will be necessary for the individual states to enforce immigration laws. Get it done; the feds are useless. "

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