New Poll Reveals Massachusetts Voters Overwhelmingly Support Immigration Enforcement and Reductions in Overall Immigration

News provided by

Jan 30, 2012, 09:59 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new statewide opinion poll reveals that likely Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly believe illegal immigration is harmful to the state, and half would like to see overall levels of immigration to the United States reduced. By large margins, voters oppose policies, supported by Gov. Deval Patrick and other state leaders, which would reward illegal aliens in Massachusetts. The poll of 500 likely Bay State voters was commissioned by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) conducted by Pulse Opinion Research during the week of January 3 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.5%.

Two-thirds of likely Massachusetts voters, 67 percent, say that illegal immigration negatively affects the state. Substantial majorities of voters also want the state to punish employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens and want state and local police to notify federal immigration authorities when they have reasonable suspicion that an individual is an illegal alien. Voters are also firmly opposed to efforts to grant in-state tuition subsidies to illegal aliens attending Massachusetts colleges and universities.

Additionally, Massachusetts voters were asked about their views on legal immigration. A near majority of respondents, 49 percent, believe that overall levels "are too high and should be reduced," while only 11 percent believe immigration should be increased.

Among the key findings of the poll:

67% believe that illegal immigration negatively affects Massachusetts.
67% oppose in-state tuition subsidies and/or admission of illegal aliens to public universities.
56% support state involvement in immigration enforcement, similar to policies enacted in Arizona and other states.
42% believe illegal immigrants take jobs from American workers, while only 29% believe they fill jobs Americans will not do.
49% support reducing overall immigration to the U.S., while only 11% support increasing immigration.

"It is clear that elected officials in Massachusetts and most of the state's congressional delegation in Washington are out of step with the views of the people who put them in office," noted Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "In spite of continued high unemployment and crippling budget shortfalls the governor and many in the legislature continue to promote policies that encourage illegal aliens to take jobs and take advantage of public benefits in Massachusetts." According to research by FAIR, illegal immigration costs Massachusetts taxpayers more than $1.8 billion annually.

"Even in the heart of New England, voters overwhelmingly oppose rewarding illegal immigration and want overall levels of immigration reduced. It is a message that political leaders in Massachusetts and around the nation would be well advised to heed," concluded Stein.

Massachusetts by the Numbers

Unemployment:
Unemployment:	7.0%
Number Unemployed:	244,200
Most Recent U-6:	14.3%
U-6 Number:	498,866^*

Illegal Immigration:
Illegal Alien Population:	190,000
Illegal Aliens in the Workforce:	135,660
Total Population:	6,557,254
Total Foreign-born Population:	983,564 (15%)
Projected 2012 deficit:	$1.8 billion
Cost of Illegal Immigration:	$1.86 billion
Tax contributions:	$66

* The U-6 measures includes the unemployed, those who cannot find full-time employment, and those who want to work but have given up searching for a job due to the condition of the labor market.

About FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. Visit FAIR's website at www.fairus.org.

SOURCE FAIR