Putting Immigration Reform To The Test

1
Putting Immigration Reform To The Test
Key findings from survey conducted April 2010 for
Telephone survey among 1,608 voters in four key
states (405 AR, 401 CO, 401 MO, 401 OH),
Conducted April 14 18, 2010
2
Key Survey Findings

• The survey tested public support for a
  comprehensive immigration reform plan in four
  moderate-conservative states Arkansas,
  Colorado, Missouri, and Ohio.
• The plan was described as an Obama/Democratic
  plan and subjected to very strong Republican
  criticisms throughout the survey.
• After equal exposure to criticisms and Democratic
  responses, voters in these states support reform
  by a solid 14-point margin, with clear majority
  support in Colorado, Missouri, and Ohio, while
  Arkansas voters are evenly divided.
• In every state, confidence in the Democrats to
  handle the immigration issue grows considerably
  after voters hear the plan and subsequent debate.

3
Survey Conducted On Challenging Political Terrain
Preferred Outcome for 2010 Congressional Elections
Barack Obamas Job Approval
WantDemo-crats tocontrol 29 40 34 43
WantRepub-licans tocontrol 47 38 46 38
Dis-approve 57 46 52 42
Approve 34 43 40 50
Arkansas Colorado Missouri Ohio
Arkansas Colorado Missouri Ohio
All voters
All voters
On average, these states went for McCain by 50
to 49 in 2008.
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Strong Support For Obama/Democratic Immigration
Reform Plan
Plan Supported by Obama, Most Democrats, Some
Republicans
All Voters
67
24
Strongly 31
Strongly 13
Approve
Disapprove
5
Attack 1 Republicans Oppose This Amnesty
Plan
Most Republicans in Congress oppose this
immigration plan and say it is really just an
amnesty plan for illegal immigrants who broke the
law.
All voters
Arkansas
Colorado
Missouri
Ohio
6
Strong Republican Criticism Of Plan Concerns 4 in
10 Voters
All Voters
REPUBLICANS say this plan is really just another
amnesty proposal that gives a slap on the wrist
to people who have been breaking our laws for
years. It rewards people who came into the
country illegally by giving them citizen-ship and
taxpayer-funded benefits, like the new Obama
health care plan. It allows millions of illegal
workers to compete with American citizens for
hard-to-find jobs when 15 million of our citizens
are unemployed. And it opens the floodgates to
millions more coming in, because the 12 million
illegal immigrants who receive amnesty will then
bring in their family members still living
overseas.
41
Very convincing 27
Very/fairlyconvincing
7
But Democratic Message Is RatedMore Convincing
All Voters
DEMOCRATS say they are offering a tough, fair,
and practical plan to get the broken immigration
system under control. We must secure our borders
and crack down on employers that hire illegal
immigrants to drive down wages. It is
unacceptable to have 12 million people in our
country who are outside the system. We must
require illegal immigrants to register for legal
status, pay their taxes, learn English, and pass
criminal background checks to remain in the
country and work toward citizenship. Those who
have a criminal record or refuse to register
should be deported.
56
41
Very convincing 32
Very convincing 27
GOP Attack 1
Dem Message
Very/fairly convincing
8
Attack 2 Border Security First
REPUBLICANS say a secure border is essential for
our national security, so before we do anything
else we must secure our borders. Only after the
border is sealed should we begin taking steps to
deal with the illegal immigrants already
here. DEMOCRATS say strengthening border security
is essential, and our plan does that, but that's
only part of the solution. Fixing our broken
immigration system also means cracking down on
illegal hiring and requiring illegal immigrants
to become legal taxpayers. .
17
20
13
11
-1
All voters
Arkansas
Colorado
Missouri
Ohio
9
Attack 3 Amnesty By Another Name
REPUBLICANS say this is just am-nesty with a new
name. The Demo-crats claim they are being tough
on immigration, but their plan rewards millions
of illegal immigrants who broke the law, at the
expense of others who waited in their home
country and played by the rules. DEMOCRATS say
this is not am-nesty. Our plan will require those
here illegally to pay a fine and taxes, learn
English, and register to become legal. Anyone who
fails a criminal background check or refus-es to
register will be sent home.
13
23
13
17
1
All voters
Arkansas
Colorado
Missouri
Ohio
10
Attack 4 Now Is Not The Time
REPUBLICANS say with 15 million Americans out of
work, now is not the time to increase immigration
and make it easier for illegal immigrants to stay
here. We should deport illegal immigrants because
they're taking our jobs, not reward them with
amnesty. DEMOCRATS say America should decide who
gets to live in our country, but politicians need
to be straight with the American people about the
12 million illegal immi-grants already here. Our
plan will turn those willing to work hard and
play by the rules into taxpayers, so they pay
their fair share of taxes.
12
-12
15
3
-2
All voters
Arkansas
Colorado
Missouri
Ohio
11
Attack 5 Will Cost Taxpayers Billions
REPUBLICANS say this plan is going to cost
American taxpayers billions of dollars and
further increase the budget deficit. Once
immigrants receive amnesty, they will be eligible
for even more taxpayer-funded services, like the
Obama health care plan. And millions of new
immigrants will put even more pressure on
schools, hospitals, and other public
services. DEMOCRATS say our immigration reform
plan will require immigrants and their employers
to pay their full and fair share of taxes, which
will result in billions in new revenues and
reduce the deficit. Every day we delay requiring
illegal immi-grants to get legal and pay taxes is
another day the American taxpayer picks up the
tab.
13
-7
-1
4
10
All voters
Arkansas
Colorado
Missouri
Ohio
12
Bottom Line Voters Favor Plan By 14-point
Margin After Debate
Final Support for Immigration Reform Proposal
27
20
57
11
56
14
53
52
43
43
42
38
36
30
All voters
Arkansas
Colorado
Missouri
Ohio
13
Bottom Line Voters Favor Plan By 14-point
Margin After Debate
Final Support for Immigration Reform Proposal,
Among Key Subgroups
Approve 52 86 45 22 86 24 50 82 66 2
7
Disapprove 38 8 39 68 8 66 33 13 24
62
Differential 14 78 6 -46 78
-42 17 69 42 -35
All voters Democrats Independents Republicans Pr
eferred Majority in Congress Democrats
Republicans No preference Liberals Moderates
Conservatives
14
Democrats Improve Position On Immigration In
Every State
Which party would do a better job handling
illegal immigration?
All voters Arkansas Colorado Missouri Ohio
15
Required Legal Status Is Plans Strongest
Provision, Not A Vulnerability
Most Convincing Reason to Support Immigration
Reform Plan
Immigrants will be required to get legal and pay
their fair share of taxes
It cracks down on employers who hire illegal
immigrants
It improves border security
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Putting Immigration Reform To The Test
Key findings from survey conducted April 2010 for
Telephone survey among 1,608 voters in four key
states (405 AR, 401 CO, 401 MO, 401 OH),
Conducted April 14 18, 2010