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63% of public want citizenship for undocumented workers

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | November 24, 2009 at 10:47 am

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As Democrats push for immigration reform and speedy gateway's to legal citizenship for illegal immigrants and undocumented workers, a new Pew Research poll shows that the American voting public largely favors such reform.

And Secretary of the Office of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has said that she believes a bill will pass in early 2010, and that the "time is right for it"; and has said with optimism, "I know a major shift when I see one.".

WASHINGTON -- Lou Dobbs' swift exit from CNN after criticism of his coverage of immigration may be more reflective of the times than first thought, according to a survey released with little fanfare on Monday.

Americans are largely supportive of a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, a new report by the Pew Research Center concluded.

Sixty-three percent of the public support the idea, up from 58 percent in 2007, the year of a contentious immigration debate that ended in legislative failure. The study also revealed a growing partisan divide on the issue since 2007, with Democratic approval for the provision rising by 11 percent and Republican support falling by 6 points.

The language used to describe the issue proved to have a notable impact on public opinion. Support fell considerably, particularly among Republicans, when asked whether they support "amnesty for illegal immigrants" as opposed to a "pathway to citizenship."

Democrats are preparing to push for reform inclusive of this provision next year, and the debate is likely to coincide with the 2010 elections. The issue isn't a high priority for the general public but it's likely to play an important role among Hispanic voters, a burgeoning electoral force who rate immigration as a higher priority than other demographics.