There are going to be many issues on the political docket this year, but perhaps one of the most contentious among them will be immigration. Notwithstanding Marco Rubio’s very good ideas, Republicans still seem to be committed to a restrictionist position that emphasizes little beyond border control, while Democrats are apparently intent on pushing broad immigration reform in the relatively near future. The GOP’s immigration position has already had consequences, of course, in the form of the massive Latino rejection of Republican candidates int he 2012 elections. Now, however, we have polling evidence that suggests that the GOP position does not have much public support:
WASHINGTON — A new Associated Press-GfK poll has found that more than 60 percent of Americans now favor allowing a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.
That’s a significantly higher number than last time the AP polled on the question, in 2010, when just 50 percent supported the idea.
The turnaround has been driven by Republicans changing their views. A majority in the GOP — 53 percent — now favor allowing illegal immigrants a path to citizenship. That’s up 22 percentage points from 2010.
That ought to stand as a powerful note to Republicans in Congress. Rather than being ruled by the limited wing of their party dominated by the Jan Brewer’s of the world, perhaps they need to open their ears. If they do, then I think that the prospects for significant immigration reform this year will increase significantly.
