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Heritage members on immigration reform

December 2, 2005| By The Heritage Foundation

 

In the fall, The Heritage Foundation conducted a survey of its 200,000 members on immigration reform. These are the results.

Rule of law

In general, do you think it is important to make sure illegal immigrants are not rewarded for breaking the law?

98.0     Yes                 
2.0       No                  

Amnesty

Do you think that granting an amnesty of any kind to illegal immigrants within the United States will encourage more people to come here illegally?

99.0     Yes                 
1.0       No

Immigration proposals

Below are summaries of some of the plans that have been proposed to deal with illegal immigrants. Please check your opinion of each one.

  • 89 percent of Heritage members oppose allowing illegal immigrants to just pay a fineAllowing individuals unlawfully here to stay and sign up for a worker visa program by paying a $1,500 fine.

    4.5       Approve
    89.0     Disapprove
    6.5       Unsure

  • Allowing aliens who illegally entered the U.S. within the past year to apply for a guest worker visa here, leave, and then re-enter through illegal means.

    1.5       Approve
    95.0     Disapprove          
    3.5       Unsure

  • Allowing illegal workers to apply for a three-year work visa, with the possibility of a single three-year extension before having to return to their native country.

    7.0       Approve
    86.4     Disapprove
    6.5       Unsure

  • Setting up a work permit program that illegal workers in the U.S. can apply for with their employers' help.  The permit would be for one year and renewable six times.  The employee could change jobs and remain in the program.

    10.7     Approve
    78.6     Disapprove
    10.7     Unsure

Relevant Heritage research