Rasmussen... Voters have mixed feelings on children of illegal immigrants

From Rasmussen Reports…

Voters Have Mixed Feelings About Legalizing Young People Brought Here Illegally

Voters are evenly divided over whether young people brought to this country illegally by their parents should be viewed as breaking the law. Making a distinction between illegal immigrants and their children is at the heart of the so-called DREAM Act that some in Congress are hoping to pass before the end of the lame duck session.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters say young people brought here illegally by their parents should be considered lawbreakers. Forty-four percent (44%) disagree and say they not be viewed as breaking the law. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

When it comes to adults, however, voters’ views are much clearer. Seventy-six percent (76%) say adults who enter the United States illegally should be considered lawbreakers. Just 12% disagree, and another 12% are not sure.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans oppose automatic citizenship for a child born in this country to an illegal immigrant.