Manhattan Institute Poll on Immigration

According to a Manhattan Institute for Policy Research poll, likely Republican voters, do not favor an enforcement-only approach to illegal immigration. A new poll of 800 registered “likely” Republican voters conducted by the Tarrance Group for the Manhattan Institute on October 2-5, 2005 show that the Republican rank and file strongly favor earned legalization for all illegal immigrants, and enacting this reform would have a positive impact on their view of Congress and President Bush. For details, see http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/immigration_pol_pr.htm

The poll is consistent with the fact that Republicans are not monolithic on immigration, with the nativist wing having very different views than the free marketeers. One of the difficulties posed to immigrants rights activists is that the Pat Buchanan. Tom Tancredo, and Minutemen get much more press.  Watch Lou Dobbs on CNN almost any night of the week to check this out.  In addition, anti-immigrant activists can tap into populist appeal against big government, big business, and “illegal aliens.”  This tack also appeals to some rank-and-fiile Democratic voters.  What can be done?