As the Senate takes up debate this week on the bipartisan immigration reform bill, Harper Polling released the results of a new state poll showing overwhelming voter support for the legislation. State leaders and supporters of immigration reform released statements below on how the new poll indicates voters in Utah are ready for a bipartisan commonsense solution to the country’s broken immigration system that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
The poll was sponsored by the Alliance for Citizenship, Partnership for a New American Economy and Republicans for Immigration Reform, three organizations who represent the broad support for immigration reform from across the political spectrum.
“We need to solve the immigration problem in America,” stated Jonathan Johnson, executive vice chairman of Overstock.com. “I’m not surprised by these new poll numbers. It’s clear that an overwhelming majority of Utahns feel immigration reform is long overdue.”
“Now is the time to adopt bipartisan national immigration reform that promotes national security, keeps families together, ensures fairness to taxpayers and protects human dignity,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. “For the good of our economy and the immigrant population in Salt Lake County, I would urge our leaders in Washington to move legislation forward in order to achieve progress on this critical issue.”
According to the poll, voters in Utah support the Gang of Eight bill by large margins. Moreover, the results show that there is a genuine imperative for Senator Orrin Hatch and Senator Mike Lee to support the bill as constituents said they are more likely to vote for an elected official who votes for reform.
“Business leaders make tough decisions every day and we have that same expectation of politicians who represent the people of Utah,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. “We deeply appreciate political leaders who are working to solve problems instead of making excuses. The business community stands with religious leaders, local politicians and the vast majority of the people of Utah in urging congress to adopt comprehensive immigration reform this year.”
“I welcome these polls as a sign of hope that we are finally going to achieve the elusive goal of comprehensive immigration reform in our country, demonstrating once again what makes our country great,” stated Bishop John C. Wester from the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. “The poll demonstrates that Americans in general, and Utahns in particular, are compassionate and do not want to see immigrant families continue to be separated by enforcement only policies. Utahns are telling their elected officials to act and, if they do, they will have their back.”
Highlights of the findings include:
· 71 percent of those polled said they strongly or somewhat support bipartisan immigration reform legislation being debated in Washington;
· 74 percent of those polled said they strongly or somewhat support a bill that includes a tough but fair path to citizenship;
· 64 percent of those polled are more likely to vote for an elected official who supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship.
· 90 percent of those polled said it was very or somewhat important that the U.S. fix it’s immigration system this year.
· Of those polled, 55 percent identified as Republicans, 18 percent as Democrats, and 27 percent as Independents.
Full results of the poll can be found here.
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For more media coverage on this poll:
· 90 percent of Utahns want immigration reform this year, poll says [KSL]
· Poll: Majority of Utahns want immigration reform [DesNews]
· Advocates’ poll shows Utah support for immigration reform [SLTrib]
· Poll: Utah voters show strong support for immigration reform [ABC4]







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