As the Senate prepares to resume debate on the “comprehensive” immigration reform bill, public opposition remains strong. Despite a massive effort by the White House to sway public opinion, recent polling shows little movement since the public uproar stalled the bill two weeks ago.
According to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, only 22% of American voters support the current immigration legislation, down from 23% a couple of weeks ago and 26% when the Senate debate began. A significant 50% of voters oppose the bill, while 28% remain undecided.
Bipartisan Discontent
The lack of support for the bill crosses party lines. Among Republicans, Democrats, and independents, only about 22-23% support the bill. In contrast, 52% of Republicans, 50% of Democrats, and 48% of unaffiliated voters oppose the legislation.
Ideologically, 59% of conservatives, 54% of liberals, and 45% of moderates oppose the bill. Only 20% of conservatives, 32% of liberals, and 18% of moderates are in favor of passing it.
Should the Bill Pass or Nothing at All?
A majority of voters believe the current bill is insufficient. Only 32% think it would be better to pass this bill rather than do nothing, while 45% believe doing nothing would be preferable. Furthermore, 71% of voters believe that if the current bill passed, additional legislation would still be required to secure the border and reduce illegal immigration—up from 65% in previous surveys.
Polling data consistently shows public support for a hypothetical bill that combines enhanced border security with a pathway to legal status for the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. However, only 16% of voters believe the current Senate bill would reduce illegal immigration. In fact, 41% think it would make the problem worse.
Public Opinion Shifts Against Key Supporters
Rasmussen Reports was one of the first polling firms to highlight the widespread opposition to the Senate’s immigration bill, and its findings have been echoed by other surveys. The NBC/Wall Street Journal and Democratic polling firm Greenberg Quinlan have found similar results, with a clear public desire for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
Even polls commissioned by supporters of the bill reveal that the American public wants stronger action. A CBS News/New York Times survey, for example, found that 69% of Americans believe illegal immigrants should be prosecuted and deported.
President George W. Bush’s handling of the immigration issue is also widely criticized, with only 15% of voters rating his performance as good or excellent, even lower than his approval ratings for handling the Iraq War. Senator John McCain, one of the most vocal supporters of the Senate bill, has seen his poll numbers collapse. Once the GOP frontrunner, McCain is now trailing in third place, with only 16% of voters saying they would definitely vote for him in the 2008 election.
Border Security Remains a Priority
Polling shows that a large majority of voters—72%—consider increasing border security and reducing illegal immigration to be “Very Important.” In contrast, only 29% feel the same about legalizing the status of undocumented immigrants.
The clear divide between public support for stricter border enforcement and the lukewarm reception of the current Senate bill suggests that unless the legislation is revised to prioritize securing the border, it will continue to face strong opposition from voters.
Rasmussen Reports’ Trusted Data
Rasmussen Reports, known for its accurate and reliable polling, continues to track public opinion on key issues like immigration reform. Rasmussen’s polling during the 2004 and 2006 elections was widely praised for its accuracy, making it a trusted source of data on public sentiment.
This national survey of 1,200 likely voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from June 22-24, 2007, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%.
The debate over immigration reform continues, but for now, public opposition remains strong, with most Americans calling for stronger border security measures over amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
Conclusion
Public opposition to the Senate’s immigration reform bill remains strong, with the majority of Americans prioritizing border security over granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants. Despite efforts by key political figures and the White House to rally support, the bill faces bipartisan discontent and skepticism about its ability to address illegal immigration effectively. As polling shows, voters are clear in their desire for stronger enforcement measures, reflecting the widespread belief that securing the border should come first. Without significant revisions, the current bill is unlikely to gain the necessary public approval to move forward.
