Immigration Enforcement, not Amnesty, a Priority for Iowans, Finds New Poll by Zogby International

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Support for enforcement of U.S. immigration laws is an issue that unites Iowans of all political persuasions, finds a new poll conducted by the Zogby International group. The poll, commissioned by the FAIR Congressional Task Force, was conducted between Nov. 29 and Dec. 1 of likely Democratic and Republican caucus participants.

The poll finds 84 percent of Iowa Republicans and 60 percent of Democrats support "tighten[ing] border security, while increasing enforcement actions against employers who hire illegal immigrants in an effort to convince illegal immigrants to return home." By contrast, only 12 percent of Republicans and 31 percent of Democrats think "we should legalize, or grant amnesty, to current illegal immigrants, while working toward improving immigration enforcement."

Similarly, 57 percent of Democrats and 80 percent of Republicans believe that "illegal immigration depresses wages for many American workers and imposes financial burdens on taxpayers," while only 26 percent of Democrats and 12 percent of Republicans believe that "illegal immigration is a net benefit to the economy and provides needed labor." The Zogby results reinforce a recent Des Moines Register poll which found that 67 percent of Democrats and 81 percent of Republicans rated immigration as "a key campaign issue."

"In Iowa, and all across America, people are demanding that our immigration laws be enforced, and reject the idea that in order to enforce our laws that we must first reward the people who have broken them," noted Dan Stein, president of the FAIR Congressional Task Force. "Ordinary Americans believe that our dysfunctional immigration policies are harming their own interests."

The release of the Iowa poll results coincides with a nationwide talk radio event planned by the FAIR Congressional Task Force on Dec. 27 and 28. Leading Iowa talk radio programs will be joined by nearly two dozen talk radio hosts from around the country who will be broadcasting from Des Moines and focusing on immigration policy. Earlier this year, the influence of talk radio played a central role in the defeat of congressional legislation that would have provided amnesty to millions of illegal aliens.

"In Iowa, and around the country, there is overwhelming bipartisan support for sensible immigration reform that begins with meaningful enforcement," said Stein. "Americans have made up their minds; what has been lacking is political leadership on this issue."

Complete poll results can be viewed at http://www.fairtaskforce.com/ 

FAIR Congressional Task Force