Californians Favor Legalization

Tyche Hendricks reports in the San Francisco Chronicle today that Californians support a legalization plan and a guest worker program:

“More than 80 percent of California registered voters support legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already in the country but also want tougher measures to reduce the flow of immigrants into the U.S., according to a Field Poll released Tuesday.

The survey, taken in late March, questioned voters on many of the proposals that were part of the immigration overhaul plan described this week by President Bush.

About 83 percent favor programs that would create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for several years. Voters want immigrants to be employed, learn English and pay any back taxes, according to the poll.

Two-thirds want the government to create temporary worker programs so immigrants can enter the country to work legally. About the same percentage — 63 percent — favor stiffer penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants.” Click here for the rest of the story.

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