Pew: Public takes harder line on illegals, wants tighter border

Pew said the public has turned away from a dual approach calling for better border security and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. “The share prioritizing tougher border security and law enforcement has risen since Feb. 2013, early in [President] Obama’s second term,” said Pew.

The poll of 1,501 people taken Aug. 20 to 24, found that 41 percent prefer the dual approach, down from 47 percent. Those want to prioritize enhanced border security and better immigration enforcement has jumped from 25 percent to 33 percent.

The shift was greatest among Republicans, a warning sign to House and Senate Republicans who may be open to amnesty. By a 17-point margin — 53 percent to 36 percent — Republicans said the priority should be on the border and laws, not citizenship. In February 2013, they were split 43 percent to 43 percent over granting a path to citizenship or creating harder to penetrate borders.

“More independents and Democrats also prioritize border security and tougher enforcement of immigration laws,” said Pew.

But that doesn’t mean Americans don’t have a soft spot for the estimated 90,000 illegal youths entering the nation this year, and the estimated 142,000 coming in next year.

Pew found that the majority supported putting the youths in American schools, getting temporary federal housing and being sent to join their families in the United States.

“In terms of dealing with the unaccompanied minors from Central America that have been crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, 69 percent of respondents favor allowing them to join their families living in the U.S. while their cases are pending; 56 percent say they should be allowed to attend public schools, while 51 percent favor allowing them to be housed in a government facility in the U.S.,” said Pew.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].