WINNING THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE

Report On New National Survey On Immigration
Wednesday, 19 December 2007, 10:25 am
Press Release: Democracy Corps

Stan Greenberg and James Carville, Democracy Corps
Mark Feierstein and Al Quinlan, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner

Winning The Immigration Issue - A Report On New National Survey On Immigration
Democracy Corps with Greenberg Quinlan Rosner conducted a survey of 1,000 likely voters November 29-December 3, 2007 that took an extensive look at the issue of illegal immigration. While few issues inspire so much passion as illegal immigration, voters are looking for a solution – after this era of failing on most major problems – that builds on our immigrant tradition.



Download the Memo [PDF]
Download the Survey [PDF]
Download the Graphs [PDF]

In their latest strategy memo, Stan Greenberg, Al Quinlan, Mark Feierstein, and James Carville offer a progressive approach to illegal immigration that shows Democrats are very serious about getting the problem under control, and solving this problem in ways consistent with America's value.
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In short, there are 7 steps the Dems must take to win on this vital issue. They are as follows

1• Recognition of the problem: ‘get it.’ Candidates ignore the issue at their peril. It is
essential to convey an appreciation that illegal immigration is out of control and
needs to be addressed immediately and seriously. If leaders do not show their own
frustration with the problem, they will not be heard on this issue – and many others.

2• Attack Bush for losing control of the problem. A strong critique of the Bush
administration’s failure to address this issue shows that we understand the problem
and empathize with voters’ frustration with the lack of leadership on this issue.

3• Enforcement at both the border and with employers. Voters believe that controls at
the borders and enforcement in the workplace have disappeared, allowing the
problem to get out of control. They are particularly angry with companies that are
looking for cheap labor, partially explaining why this is happening.

4• Opposition to non-essential benefits. The public’s leading concern about illegal
immigration is that the immigrants get access to non-essential government benefits at
a time when government spending is squeezed and taxes are a burden. There is
strong opposition to Medicaid, taxpayer-subsidized health care, for illegal
immigrants. But they are also strongly opposed to drivers’ licenses, an implicit
recognition of legal status and claim on benefits.

5• Support for emergency health care and education. Most Americans accept access to
emergency health care for illegal immigrants and education through high school for
the children of illegal immigrants who are U.S. citizens.

6• Positive views of new immigrants. Negative attitudes toward immigrants combine
with a lot of respect – many in a new survey describing them as ‘hard working,’
‘family-oriented’ and ‘trying to be good citizens.’ That creates an opening for an
inclusive approach, based on America’s strength as an immigrant nation. There is
strong support, for example, for undocumented immigrants in the U.S. military being
able to win nearly immediate citizenship.(dream act?)

7• Toward a solution: responsibility and a path to citizenship. A large majority of
voters support a path to citizenship if we are serious about having to qualify for
citizenship: expelling anyone who has committed a crime, others pay a fine and
taxes, learn English, and get in the back of the queue. But if voters hear only the part
about a path to citizenship without the responsibilities, they do not support this – and
punish incumbent Democrats. But if Democrats ‘get it’ and are very serious about
getting the problem under control, including benefits, their leaders can get support for
solving this problem in ways consistent with our values.