More Prioritize Border Security in Immigration Debate

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http://www.people-press.org/2014/09/03/more-prioritize-border-security-in-immigration-debate/

As President Obama considers executive action to delay the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants, the public’s priorities for U.S. immigration policy have shifted, with more people favoring a focus on better border security and tougher enforcement of immigration laws.



The national survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted August 20-24 among 1,501 adults, finds that 33% say the priority should be on better border security and tougher enforcement of immigration laws, while 23% prioritize creating a way for people in the U.S. illegally to become citizens if they meet certain conditions. About four-in-ten (41%) say both should be given equal priority.

These priorities have changed since Feb. 2013, early in Obama’s second term. The share saying that both approaches should be given equal priority has fallen from 47% to 41%. Over the same period, the percentage prioritizing enhanced border security and stronger enforcement of immigration laws has risen eight points, from 25% to 33%. There has been little change in the percentage saying the priority should be creating a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally (25% in Feb. 2013, 23% today).



By a 17-point margin (53% to 36%), more Republicans now say the priority should be on better border security and stricter law enforcement than on an approach that also includes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. In Feb. 2013, 43% favored better border security and stricter law enforcement, while an identical percentage (43%) supported an approach that also included a path to citizenship. Relatively few Republicans – then or now – think the priority should just be on a path to citizenship (11% in Feb. 2013, 9% today)