Rhode Island Voters Overwhelmingly Support Immigration Enforcement

PR Newswire
January 31, 2012

A new statewide opinion poll reveals that likely Rhode Islandvoters overwhelmingly believe illegal immigration is harmful to the state, and oppose pro-illegal immigrant policies implemented by Gov. Lincoln Chafee. The poll of 500 likely Rhode Island 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%.

Nearly three-quarters of Rhode Island voters, 74 percent, say that illegal immigration negatively affects the state. Voters also overwhelmingly oppose an executive order signed by Gov. Chafee preventing Rhode Island police from notifying federal authorities when they arrest or detain an individual they suspect is an illegal alien. The poll also indicates widespread opposition to a new policy which allows illegal aliens to attend public colleges and universities at subsidized in-state tuition rates.

Additionally, Rhode Island voters were asked about their views on legal immigration. A majority of respondents, 54 percent, believe that overall levels “are too high and should be reduced,” while only 10 percent believe immigration should be increased.

Among the key findings of the poll:

• 74% believe that illegal immigration has a negative affect on Rhode Island.
• 71% oppose in-state tuition subsidies and/or admission of illegal aliens to public universities.
• 73% oppose allowing illegal aliens to obtain Rhode Island driver’s licenses.
• 72% support allowing Rhode Island police to notify federal authorities when they arrest or detain someone they suspect is an illegal alien.
• 54% want overall levels to the U.S. to be reduced.

“It is clear that elected officials in Rhode Island and 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. “The state is reeling under the impact of the second highest unemployment rate in the nation and crippling budget shortfalls, while the governor and many in the legislature promote policies that allow illegal aliens to take jobs and take advantage of public benefits in Rhode Island.” According to research by FAIR, illegal immigration costs Rhode Island taxpayers $278 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 Rhode Island and around the nation would be well advised to heed,” concluded Stein.

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This article was posted: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 3:09 pm

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