Majority of Michiganders support a legal pathway to citizenship for immigrants, survey finds

[marmar]

(Michigan Advance) Immigration remains top of the mind for many voters this election season as candidates running at all levels pledge action on the southern border, with former President Donald Trump leading the charge for many Republicans seeking office.

Since his 2016 presidential campaign, undocumented immigration has been a central issue in Trump’s campaigns, with the former president promising to undertake the “largest domestic deportation operation in America,” on day one if he’s elected to a second term.

However, when presented with a choice to create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who had been living in the U.S., a majority of U.S. citizens — including voters in six key swing states — said they would prefer that solution over mass deportation, according to a survey conducted by the University of Maryland Program for Public Consultation (PPC).

....(snip)....

In Michigan, 63% of respondents said they would support a path to citizenship, compared to 58% of the U.S. as a whole. ..................(more)

https://michiganadvance.com/2024/10/10/majority-of-michiganders-support-a-legal-pathway-to-citizenship-for-immigrants-survey-finds/

[multigraincracker]

1. I don't think I would like to live anywhere else.

Have the best women State Administration in the country too.

[MichMan]

2. Interesting to dive deeper in the poll responses

The survey asked voters if they would support “a new type of visa that would be available to undocumented immigrants who have been living in the US for some years and have not committed a serious crime. They would pay a penalty and any taxes they owe. After several years, they would be allowed to apply for citizenship. Those who do not apply or qualify for the visa would be subject to deportation.”

What penalty? If fines, how much? $100?, $10,000 ?

How does one determine tax liability for someone with no work authorization who has been working under the table?

Voters from both parties also showed support for policies that would make it more difficult for undocumented immigrants to find employment in the states while increasing the availability of work visas.

When asked if they would support requiring employers to verify all new hires can legally work in the U.S. through the E-Verify system, 67% of Michiganders said they would.

[MichMan]

3. Would the asylum process be eliminated?

People entering who are requesting asylum are given due process and scheduled for an eventual hearing. Most are found not eligible for asylum, and under current laws, are expected to return to their countries of origin.

If everyone gets to stay, regardless of being found eligible for asylum or not, what is the point of having an asylum process?