Poll: Sixty Percent of Voters Support Illegal Immigrants Staying And Applying For Citizenship

A new CBS poll shows considerable opposition to the Trump Administration’s approach to immigration.  The poll confirms that immigration is the top issue in the minds of voters.  However, it also shows 60 percent of voters support the right of illegal immigrants being allowed to stay and achieve citizenship.  Some 58 percent oppose the building of the wall.

The percentage is even higher for those favoring immigrants since an additional 13 percent would allow the immigrants to stay but not apply for citizenship.   Only 23 percent would force them to leave.  The percentage rise according to party.  Yet, only 43 percent of Republicans (less than a majority) favor requiring all illegal immigrants to leave the country.  Conversely, 79 percent of Democrats want illegal immigrants to be allowed to apply for citizenship.

Likewise, 77 percent of Republicans favor the wall while only 11 percent do so.

While an earlier poll showed considerable opposition for sanctuary cities, this poll shows a sharp opposition to the basic components of the Trump immigration policy.  That may add to the unease of many Republican members in forging ahead beyond the plan to deport “criminal illegal immigrants.”

The poll numbers on the executive order are closer though a majority still opposed the order.