Pew Research Poll - Americans Support Ariz. Immigration Law

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Click here for, among other things, the text of Arizona's new immigration law.
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johnkarls
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Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:43 pm

Pew Research Poll - Americans Support Ariz. Immigration Law

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PewResearchCenter Publications

American Public Supports Arizona Immigration Law
May 12, 2010

The public broadly supports a new Arizona law aimed at dealing with illegal immigration and the law's provisions giving police increased powers to stop and detain people who are suspected of being in the country illegally.

Fully 73% say they approve of requiring people to produce documents verifying their legal status if police ask for them. Two-thirds (67%) approve of allowing police to detain anyone who cannot verify their legal status, while 62% approve of allowing police to question people they think may be in the country illegally.

After being asked about the law's provisions, 59% say that, considering everything, they approve of Arizona's new illegal immigration law while 32% disapprove.

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted May 6-9 among 994 adults, finds that Democrats are evenly split over Arizona's new immigration law: 45% approve of the law and 46% disapprove. However, majorities of Democrats approve of two of the law's principal provisions: requiring people to produce documents verifying legal status (65%) and allowing police to detain them if they are unable to verify their legal status (55%).

Republicans overwhelmingly approve of the law and three provisions tested. Similarly, among independents there is little difference in opinions of the new Arizona law (64% approve) and its elements, which are viewed positively.

Young people are less supportive of the Arizona immigration law than are older Americans. Fewer than half (45%) of those younger than age 30 approve of the new law while 47% disapprove. Majorities of older age groups -- including 74% of those ages 65 and older -- approve of the law.

However, even most young people approve of requiring people to produce documents verifying their legal status; 61% approve of this element of the law while 35% disapprove. Larger percentages of older age groups support this provision.

Most Disapprove of Obama on Immigration

As has been the case since last fall, the public is highly critical of Barack Obama's handling of immigration policy. Just 25% approve of the way Obama is handling the issue, while more than twice as many (54%) disapprove. That is little changed from last month (29% approve) and down slightly from last November (31%).

In the current survey, 76% of Republicans disapprove of Obama's handling of immigration policy, while just 8% approve. Independents disapprove of Obama's job on the issue by more than two-to-one (57% to 25%). Even among Democrats, as many disapprove (38%) as approve (37%) of the way he is handling the issue, while a quarter (25%) offer no opinion.

Pew Poll May 6-9 on the Main Elements of Arizona’s New Law =

1. Requiring people to produce documents verifying legal status --

Overall approve = 73%
Overall disapprove = 23%
Overall don’t know = 4%

Total approve = 73%
Republicans = 86%
Democrats = 65%
Independents = 73%

Total approve = 73%
Age 18-29 = 61%
Age 30-49 = 70%
Age 50-64 = 80%
Age 65+ = 82%

2. Allowing police to detain anyone unable to verify legal status --

Overall approve = 67%
Overall disapprove = 29%
Overall don’t know = 4%

Total approve = 67%
Republicans = 81%
Democrats = 55%
Independents = 69%

Total approve = 67%
Age 18-29 = 52%
Age 30-49 = 67%
Age 50-64 = 71%
Age 65+ = 77%

3. Allowing police to question anyone they think may be in country illegally --

Overall approve = 62%
Overall disapprove = 35%
Overall don’t know = 3%

Total approve = 62%
Republicans = 79%
Democrats = 50%
Independents = 64%

Total approve = 62%
Age 18-29 = 48%
Age 30-49 = 59%
Age 50-64 = 67%
Age 65+ = 77%

4. Considering everything, opinion of new Arizona law --

Overall approve = 59%
Overall disapprove = 32%
Overall don’t know = 8%

Total approve = 59%
Republicans = 82%
Democrats = 45%
Independents = 64%

Total approve = 59%
Age 18-29 = 45%
Age 30-49 = 57%
Age 50-64 = 65%
Age 65+ = 74%

President Obama’s Overall Job-Approval Rating

Nov 2009 –
Approve = 51%
Disapprove = 36%
Don’t know = 13%

Jan 2010 –
Approve = 49%
Disapprove = 42%
Don’t know = 10%

Apr 2010 –
Approve = 47%
Disapprove = 42%
Don’t know = 11%

May 2010 –
Approve = 47%
Disapprove = 42%
Don’t know = 11%

President Obama’s Ratings On Immigration Policy

Nov 2009 –
Approve = 31%
Disapprove = 48%
Don’t know = 21%

Jan 2010 –
Approve = 30%
Disapprove = 50%
Don’t know = 21%

Apr 2010 –
Approve = 29%
Disapprove = 47%
Don’t know = 24%

May 2010 –
Approve = 25%
Disapprove = 54%
Don’t know = 21%

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