Americans back chance at status, poll shows By JONATHAN WEISMAN Washington Post WASHINGTON - A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found 63 percent of those surveyed backed letting immigrants who have lived in the country a certain number of years apply for legal status and eventually become permanent citizens.
In contrast, only 14 percent favored a plan to let illegal immigrants stay and work for a limited number of years before having to return to their home countries — an alternative pushed by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Another 20 percent said illegal immigrants should be declared felons and offered no temporary work program, a stand that corresponds with the legislation approved by the House.
In the new Washington Post poll, completed April 9, 50 percent of respondents said they trusted the Democrats to better handle the immigration issue, while 38 percent trusted Republicans.
A third of Americans approve of President Bush's handling of the immigration issue, while 61 percent disapprove. Only his handling of gas prices showed lower approval ratings.
Three-quarters of those responding said the United States is not doing enough to secure its borders, but they appear to have rejected the argument that immigrants are an economic threat.
Some 68 percent said illegal immigrants are filling jobs Americans do not want, compared with 29 percent who think they are taking American jobs.