Voters Believe Federal Government Encourages Illegal Immigration, Support Military Along Southern Border

Katie Pavlich | February 08, 2011 9:58 AM

A new Rasmussen Report shows 57 percent of likely voters believe federal government policies and practices encourage illegal immigration with 68 percent of likely voters saying gaining control of the border is more important than granting amnesty to illegal immigrants.

Possibly the most encouraging number of the survey is the 64 percent of likely voters who believe the U.S. military should be used along the Mexican border to prevent illegal immigration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters think the policies and practices of the federal government encourage illegal immigration, comparable to findings in October 2009 but down slightly from 62% last September after the Arizona immigration law had been in the headlines for several months.

Consistent with findings for several years, however, are the 68% who say gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers who are already living in the United States.

Most voters (64%), in fact, still believe the U.S. military should be used along the Mexican border to prevent illegal immigration.