Poll after poll shows Americans want illegals to keep marching until they are south of the border.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey found two-thirds of Americans oppose granting illegals a path to citizenship.
CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said:
Virtually all major subgroups oppose making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens, at least in the abstract. Specific legislation that puts limits on the ability to gain citizenship has sometimes met with favor in the past if it restricts the number who can apply and penalizes them for staying in the country illegally. But the overall principle remains unpopular.
Sure, Hispanics are the “largest and fastest-growing minority group.” But get this: Half of Latinos are not eligible to vote due to their illegal status or under age 18.
True, a push for passage of “comprehensive immigration reform” might help Sen. Harry Reid’s struggling bid for reelection.
But as the Las Vegas Review-Journal editorialized:
Little has changed in the illegal immigration debate since Sen. Reid’s previous attempt to pass “comprehensive reform” went down in flames in 2007 (although illegals are more careful to wave American flags these days instead of the banners of their home countries).Indeed, amnesty legislation would fire up voters who oppose rewarding foreign nationals who by their very presence flout the rule of law.Groups such as Reform Immigration for America, which organized Saturday’s rally, still want amnesty for all illegals in the United States, guarantees that they can stay in the country for the rest of their lives, an expedited path to citizenship and visas for the extended families they left behind.
These demands are extremely unpopular with taxpaying voters, especially legal immigrants and naturalized citizens who completed the lawful process at significant expense and sacrifice.
UPDATE: Reid now says the Senate will act on “comprehensive immigration reform,” um, mañana.
