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

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Jan 30, 2012, 09:56 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new statewide opinion poll reveals that likely Vermont 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 which would reward illegal aliens in Vermont. The poll of 500 likely Vermont 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%.

A clear majority of likely Vermont voters, 55 percent, say that illegal immigration negatively affects the state. Nearly half of Vermont 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 Vermont colleges and universities.

Additionally, Vermont voters were asked about their views on legal immigration. Forty-four percent of respondents believe that overall levels "are too high and should be reduced," while only 9 percent believe immigration should be increased.

Among the key findings of the poll:

55% believe that illegal immigration negatively affects Vermont.
68% oppose in-state tuition subsidies and/or admission of illegal aliens to public universities.
49% support state involvement in immigration enforcement, similar to policies enacted in Arizona and other states.
44% support reducing overall immigration to the U.S., while only 9% support increasing immigration.

"Americans all across the country believe that unchecked illegal immigration and excessive levels of legal immigration are harmful to their interests. They want laws against illegal immigration enforced and, if the federal government refuses to carry out its responsibilities, they fully support state action to protect jobs and public resources," said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. According to research by FAIR, illegal immigration costs Vermont taxpayers nearly $38 million 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 Vermont and around the nation would be well advised to heed," concluded Stein.

Vermont by the Numbers

Unemployment:

Unemployment:	5.3%
Number Unemployed:	19,100
Most Recent U-6:	11.9%
U-6 Number:	42,885^*

Illegal Immigration:

Illegal Alien Population:	5,000
Illegal Aliens in the Workforce:	>5,000
Total Population:	625,960
Total Foreign-born Population:	27,560
Projected 2012 deficit:	$176 million
Cost of Illegal Immigration:	$37.6 million
Tax contributions:	$1.1 million

*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