The Partnership for a New American Economy, the Business Roundtable, and the National Association of Manufacturers recently released the findings of a national survey and of 26 state surveys. Findings show that voters across the U.S. recognize that the immigration system of our country is broken. 86 percent of Republicans and 79 percent of Independents believe that the broken system is in need of fixing.
Around 72 percent of voters reject the argument that the U.S. Congress is not willing to act because the Obama Administration is not willing to enforce laws. 69 percent of Independents and 2 out of 3 Republicans reject this argument. To more than 40 percent of voters, immigration reform is very important. 80 percent of voters want the U.S. Congress to pass a reform bill this year. 74 percent of Independents want the Congress to act on immigration reform this year.
Similarly, there are some voters who back the principles outlined by the U.S. House. Around 60 percent of voters are in favor of the immigration standards laid out by House Speaker John Boehner. There are some voters who want an immigration reform bill that would increase border security and expand work visa programs. They also want the country to allow those who were brought to the country illegally as children, by their parents, to obtain citizenship and give an opportunity to the undocumented immigrants without criminal records to live and work here by granting them legal status. More than 54 percent of the Republicans and 62 percent of Independents want such an immigration reform bill. However, there are some who are against it.
Likewise, around 54 percent of Republicans back the idea of granting legal status to those living in the country without legal status. More than 71 percent of Republicans say that they would vote for a presidential candidate who is in favor of immigration reform.