Time in Houston:
Majority of Arizonans support path to citizenship
November 11, 2011
A new survey published by Arizona State University (ASU) has shown that the majority of Arizonans are in favor of establishing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the state for many years. The poll, carried out by ASU's Morrison Institute for Public Policy, showed that 78 per cent of people supported such a measure - which has come as a surprise for many immigrant rights advocates in the state. Arizona was the first state to bring in a tough anti-immigration law last year, and is regarded as one of the most hostile states for undocumented residents to live in.
The director of the poll, senior research fellow, Bruce Merrill, said that it indicated that Arizonans do make the distinction between enforcing tough border control and addressing the issue of immigrants already in the country.
"What this poll shows is that while people are certainly concerned about the border, they tend to be pretty moderate on the issue of what to do with the people who are already in the state," Merrill said.
The 78 per cent that would endorse a route to citizenship had been asked, however, if they would support citizenship legislation that came with a range of conditions, including paying a fine, passing criminal background checks, paying taxes and showing that they can speak English.
A new survey published by Arizona State University (ASU) has shown that the majority of Arizonans are in favor of establishing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the state for many years. The poll, carried out by ASU's Morrison Institute for Public Policy, showed that 78 per cent of people supported such a measure - which has come as a surprise for many immigrant rights advocates in the state. Arizona was the first state to bring in a tough anti-immigration law last year, and is regarded as one of the most hostile states for undocumented residents to live in.
The director of the poll, senior research fellow, Bruce Merrill, said that it indicated that Arizonans do make the distinction between enforcing tough border control and addressing the issue of immigrants already in the country.
"What this poll shows is that while people are certainly concerned about the border, they tend to be pretty moderate on the issue of what to do with the people who are already in the state," Merrill said.
The 78 per cent that would endorse a route to citizenship had been asked, however, if they would support citizenship legislation that came with a range of conditions, including paying a fine, passing criminal background checks, paying taxes and showing that they can speak English.
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