Immigration Reform

Poll: Republicans Like Immigration Reform, Not Sold On Immigrants

Benjy Sarlin | March 28, 2013, 3:34PM

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., listens to a question during a town hall, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in Sun Lakes, Ariz. McCain defended his proposed immigration overhaul to an angry crowd in suburban Arizona in the latest sign that this border state will play a prominent role in the national immigration reform debate. (AP Photo/Matt York)

A strong majority of Americans, including Republicans, supports immigration reform that would let the nation's undocumented population stay in the country legally, according to a new poll. But there's a sharp divide over how partisans view the immigrants themselves.

Some 71 percent of respondents said they support granting at least some legal status to illegal immigrants, according to the poll by the Pew Research Center, which surveyed 1,501 American adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percent. Democrats favored legalization by a 76-21 margin, versus 64-34 for Republicans and 70-29 for Independents. There were divisions over whether a bill should eventually grant immigrants citizenship or just permanent residency, however: Democrats favored citizenship over just legal status by a 48-24 margin, Republicans by 38-22, and independents by 39-28.

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Reince Priebus

6 Big Takeaways From The RNC's Incredible 2012 Autopsy

Benjy Sarlin | March 18, 2013, 10:57AM

Reince Priebus discusses a new RNC report at the National Press Club, 03/18/13

President Obama's campaign staff boasted throughout the 2012 race that the GOP's dismissal of minority concerns, intolerance towards gays, celebration of wealth, and fetishism of Ronald Reagan would doom them in November. Today the RNC released their official response: "You were right."

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