Support broadens among Americans for Arizona's tough illegal-immigrant law, while opposition sags

President Obama is opposed to the strict new illegal-immigrant law in Arizona. But a new poll now finds that he is in a shrinking minority of Americans and Democrats who do.

A new Pew Research Center Poll finds fully 73% of the country thinks police requesting immigration status documents is fine, while 67% think detaining someone for a status check is OK.

The poll reports that, overall, 59% approve of the law's broad provisions, while less than a third (32%) now oppose them. That is up significantly from a similar poll earlier this month.

Democrats, a large majority of whom originally opposed the law, are now....

... evenly split 45-46% approve-disapprove. The number of Democrats supporting the measure has been growing as more information spreads about its legal provisions and safeguards.

Republicans overwhelmingly approve the law (85%) signed by Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer in frustration over federal inaction on securing the state's borders with Mexico. A solid majority of independents (64%) also support the controversial measure. (See several related items below, including the law's full text.)

Even among young people, where support for the law is weakest, a majority support requiring people to produce immigration documents upon request by police.

Obama has called Arizona's state action "misguided," while agreeing that broad immigration reforms are needed. However, he's added that he does not see the "appetite" for addressing the problems after his rancorous intra-party healthcare debate. Nor has he taken additional steps to secure the borders.

The issue, involving fears of rising crime, assaults and illegal drug trading, has the potential to become an emotional one in this year's evolving midterm election campaigns and not to the advantage of congressional incumbents, most of whom are Democrats.

Fifty-four percent of Americans in the new Pew Poll disapprove of Obama's job performance on  immigration while those who approve have waned from 31% last November to 29% last month to 25% today.

Again, Obama's Democratic party is now split (38% disapprove, 37% approve). Predictably, 75% of Republicans disapprove of his job in that area. But of potential future concern for the White House is that, among independents, a crucial leg of his national support in 2008, more than twice as many disapprove of his immigration handling (57%) as approve (25%).

Related items:

See for yourself: Complete text of the Arizona law and Executive Order

Forget Obama, Arizonans like their new law

Arizona Gov. Brewer explains signing nation's toughest immigration bill

So what does the new Arizona law actually do?

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signs controversial law in state melting pot

-- Andrew Malcolm

The Arizona law does not require this, but it is highly recommended that you click here for Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Follow us @latimestot.  Or Like us over on Facebook here. 

Photo: Border fence in Nogales, Ariz. Credit: AFP / Getty Images.

Comments

[maandrews]

Wake up Los Angeles Times ...Your Open Borders biased "news" stories are directly in opposition to what the vast majority of the USA wants! Illegal Immigration Anarchy in the USA is finally coming to a close!

[Eadred]

Considering the mayhem an overly generous immigration policy has created in this country since the 1986 amnesty, it's time to close the doors and double check to see who has overstayed their welcome. Welcome the traveler and speed the parting guest

[kuruc]

no americans are brain dead and want more illegals to come here. oh, but those are our politicians and employers.

[ProudSupporter]

Woohoo, we are gaining groud!
I'm part of the overwhelming 70 percent that approves SB1070, but medias rarely cover this

We need this law here in CA very badly, we have 3M illegals, the state is almost unrecognizeable in most areas. I'm ready to vote Poizner if SB1070 is not passing here

[ShakedownCrews]

I love this article. This sentence is priceless:
"The number of Democrats supporting the measure has been growing as more information spreads about its legal provisions and safeguards."
Golly, you mean that despite of Obama's lies about the law, and despite all the other falsehoods presented by the lame-stream media, as soon as the TRUTH about the law has "spread" (thanks to the internet, conservative radio, Fox news), even Dems see that it makes sense?

[uravon]

As of today, states looking at or actually working on an 'Arizona' style immigration law are.. Oklahoma, Georgia, North & South Carolina, Idaho, Missouri, Texas, Maryland, Minnisota and Colorado. There will surely be more taking this issue seriously, when one considers the migration out of these states into neighbor 'amnesty' states.. like California. - KATY BAR THE BORDERS!.. we simply can NOT afford to support more millions upon millions of people from foreign countries who cross our borders illegaly.. to feed off the (fewer & fewer) citzen workers who pay taxes necessary to support FREE 'social services' provided by liberal California Democrats = a symbiontic TRADE-OFF for VOTES! Anyone who favors an Arizona style immigration law will NOT vote any Democrat, or any Republican candidate.. to any political office, if that candidate is not supportive of halting the flood of illegal foreign nationals across our borders. It's time to pull the plug on the massive taxpayer dollars confiscated to keep illegal foreign nationals housed, fed, medicated, educated.. and incarcerated.

[Terry]

We have to do a much better job of assimilating foreigners who come here legally as well. Once you are here, you are an American first, but don't worry, being an American is a fine thing to be, no matter what the lunatic left tries to tell you.

[Todd]

Predictably, 75% of Republicans disapprove of his job in that area.

What an interesting turn of phrase, as though it was completely expected that exactly 75% of Republicans would disprove. It is also used in this context to taint this segment. To dismiss them as expected.

If this same “style” were applied evenly, this sentence “Democrats, a large majority of whom originally opposed the law, are now evenly split 45-46% approve-disapprove.” would instead say “Astonishingly Democrats, a large majority of whom originally opposed the law, are now evenly split 45-46% approve-disapprove”.

But I guess it is just too much to expect any paper with "Times" in its name to go for balanced...

[George]

With the utmost respect to the LA Times, its opposition to the Arizona law is as misplaced as its hostility to Prop 13, Three Strikes, the Gray Davis recall, the Gov's Propositions in 2003 (designed to trim union pensions and hold the budget in check), and last year's state "Tax Bill." People impacted by unchecked immogration have had enough. No one else has the right to insist they continue to absorb hundreds of thousands of another country's poor, not to mention a criminal element. There is no sane basis to take more illegals when we have people raising Mexican flags at US schools. People in Arizona know--we know- nothing is going to be "done about it" in D.C. This is not an anti-Hispanic measure; they are good, decent people and we are lucky to have them. Its an anti-illegal measure. Enough is enough.

[Lo]

Thank you Gov. Brewer for your Arizona immigration law. If the Federal gov. are not going inforce illegal immigration laws, every state should use their power to adopt their own law, to protect their citizens. Americans have the right to honor the American flag at anytime, and live in our country without fear of illegal immigrant terrorism.

[Dr.Deano]

Look. Let's quit the pretense and call it like it is:

Amnesty for illegal aliens is the Democrats way of sealing themselves in power by artificially creating votes.

It is the most seditious act possible and denies American citizens both born and naturalized, their moral and legal human rights of self-determination as a nation of people and the right to the sovereignty of their nation.

[az dude]

I am a arizonan who firmly believes in the new law. After the gross negligence our country has for immigration, it is time for states to show its sovereignty and enact its own policies. Jan Brewer for President.

[ok]

LA city councilemembers, why aren't you trying to protect the citizens of your state? Americans should boycott you and mexican business. Arizona is within the law with their immigration law. Illegals are a heavy burden on California. I find the work that many have done in my home very inferior.

[Teki Setsu]

When will someone bring up the fact that Central Americans who cross into Mexico are raped, murdered, robbed, etc.? No one seems to give a damn. Why the double standard?

[Cammylynn]

The only thing surprising is that the Dems are STILL not listening to the people. When 73% of your voters support a measure you don't have the 'appetite' to pursue an issue that will undoubtedly put more Americans back to work and reduce the number of people draining our social services? But you're ok forcing a TRILLION dollar entitlement program that is opposed by over 50% of Americans down our throats? The only question is how much damage they can do before we vote them out of office.

[Emerson]

But who will provide welfare and free medical care for Mexican street gangs selling drugs in America?

[watch cartoons]

Again, Obama's Democratic party is now split (38% disapprove, 37% approve). Predictably, 75% of Republicans disapprove of his job in that area. But of potential future concern for the White House is that, among independents, a crucial leg of his national support in 2008, more than twice as many disapprove of his immigration handling (57%) as approve (25%).

[harkin]

I am a third generation Angleno and an hispanic. I support secure borders 100%. This doesn't mean that the borders are closed, it means that the second half of the amnesty act of 1985 (anmesty plus secure borders) will finally have a chance of becoming reality after 25 years.

Anyone who says that everyone who supports the AZ adoption of existing US federal law is a hateful racist is just too cowardly to debate the real issues and the costs and consequences of uncontrolled invasion by illegals.

Yes we Can.......control the borders!

[immigrant]

Illegal is not race, it is status of person in US who decided to ignore US immigration laws. If majority of illegals belong to single ethnical or national origin and numbers are in millions, this is an invasion. Arizona law is a very effective way to enforce Current Federal Immigration Law, designed to protect US citizens and communities, and I hope it will help to stop US being colonized by Mexico. I was struck by American Flag story in LA, and this story confirms Mexico's ambition to return lost territories and therefore they are trying protect illegals from Mexico (only from mexico) in US to preserve fifth column needed in case of new US-Mex war.

[Dana Garcia]

Americans are sick of the feds not doing their job in protecting our borders. Washington is happy to send troops around the world to guard other countries' borders (e.g. Korea, since 1953), but not for us.

Obama complains about Arizona but he won't do his duty as Commander in Chief and send the military to defend the country. What a surprise.

[A.Men]

God Bless Governor Brewer!

[bandit]

Obama and MA Gov Deval Patrick think it's part of our shared values to support criminal entry into in the country and to abet fraudulent access to public programs. That says a lot about their values.

[VIVAM]

This letter, from an obviously intelligent couple who made a choice to leave the U.S. and move to Mexico, articulates something so obvious to common sense folks (who THINK rather than FEEL) that shows an easy to understand moral.

Here it is for the ultra left progressives that are ruining our country.......try to pay close attention:

THE U.S. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND THE FEAR OF HURTING ANYONE'S FEELINGS IS SO NAIVE THAT IT WOULD BE LAUGHABLE IF OUR COUNTRY WASN'T AT STAKE. WAKE UP ULTRA LEFT, YOU'VE DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE ALREADY.

Subject: U.S. Citizens living in Mexico - Letter to the Editor

This is a very interesting "Letter to the Editor" from a couple who moved from Payson, Arizona to live in Mexico. It's their take on the new Arizona Immigration Law... and it's a quite interesting viewpoint too.

Rim Country Gazette - Letter to the Editor
April 29, 2010
http://rimcountrygazette.blogspot.com/2010/04/letter-mexican-response-to-az-law.html

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010
LETTER: MEXICAN RESPONSE TO AZ LAW HYPOCRITICAL
Dear Editor:
I am writing this as a citizen of the U.S. who, for several years, has lived much of the year in West Central Mexico.

My wife and I are retired, and are happy with our life here, but are very careful to adhere to the many rules and regulations that apply to our being legal residents of this country! We love the U.S., and all the advantages it gave us during all the years we grew up, raised our family, and prospered with the business that we created and worked in!

We now find it incredulous that our federal government refuses to enforce the immigration laws of the U.S., and, when a State like Arizona, in its own self defense tries to create some protection for it's citizenry, so many of the left wing, liberal people want to make villains of them, and the Mexican Government is saying that "this is an outrage and is racist!"

I would like to share with you readers what we are required to do, here in Mexico. To live down here, we must file as temporary immigrants, and to do so we must furnish: a formal application, filled out in Spanish, records that show that we have sufficient income, according to their standards, to live here, without additional income, a letter from a legal authority that shows that we have no criminal background, three sets of profile and front face photos, and pay an annual fee of approximately $100.

We also have to register our vehicle when we enter the country, and pay the registration fee, and furnish proof of Mexican Insurance coverage. If we own property down here, we have to do it through a Mexican Trust, and pay all annual Trust fees and Property taxes! We can be asked at any time to show proof of our proper documentation, and that of our vehicle, and failure to do so, will result in incarceration or impoundment and possible confiscation of our vehicle! We know of many circumstances when this has happened, so it is NO empty threat!

So, I guess we simply don't understand the double standard that the Mexican citizens that have illegally snuck into the U.S. have, and the outright hypocrisy of what the Mexican Government is touting!

The United States, and every state therein, has the right to control its borders, as Mexico does, and failure to do so jeopardizes their sovereignty!

Respectfully,
Larry and Eloise Kontz
Arizona residents!

(Editor's note: Larry and Eloise are former Payson residents and avid Gazette blog readers.)

[valleygirl]

Obama will not do another term as comander and chief.
I think after his comment about SB1070 he made himself look like a fool.
LA City council Hahn will not win any more elections either.
California is getting wise and want SB1070 here!
Jan Brewer for United States President!

[Richard Surrell]

Well, well...the City of Los Angeles has thrown down the gauntlet....they have declared idological war on Arizona.....so I challenge everyone to do what I promise......

I promise not to spend any money in Los Angeles until they change their mind!

It is against the law for a state to boycott another state in the USA. What in the world is the City of Los Angeles thinking? Arizona is simply enforcing a federal law......it specifically excludes racial profiling.....
Apparently facts are not important to the City of Los Angeles!

Rick Surrell
Tustin, Calif.

[FEDUP!]

The city of Los Angeles needs Arizona more than Arizona needs Los Angeles. The City Council thinks they are going to hurt Arizona's pocket book? Are you kidding me? I guess the city council doesn't read the newspapers or pay attention to the polls. Tax payers are tired rising taxes, taxes, electric bills etc. Wake up!

[Barb AZ]

Obama lied about the true nature of this bill? What?

[Steve Rodriguez]

The only Nazi's are the LA City Council members, who want to put an economic boycott on the people of Arizona!

May God bless Arizona!!!!

[Steve Rodriguez]

LA City Council let me give you some sound advice, quitting messing with Arizona, you only hurting yourselves! Most Americans support the Arizona immigration law!

[Benito]

I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.

I know the proponents of this law say that the majority approves of this law, but the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!

Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.

[Edward Kemp]

,I'm glad Arizona has a set , the federal government could care less about protecting it's citizens like they're supposed to do ...

[Jerry]

I live in Dallas. Just wanted Angelinos to note that as long as the city of Los Angeles boycotts Arizona, I'll be boycotting Los Angeles and BUYCOTTING Arizona. You folks need a new city council.

[Linda in CO]

I am making bumper stickers to SUPPORT Arizona and Boycott L.A.
Te ILLEGAL immigration must be stopped. This is not racist.
People from other countries (ANY countries) should not be able to come here ILLEGALLY. In any other country they would be arrested, prosecuted and deported.

This problem is huge, a crises, and I have pulled my support for Obama over his handling of this. I campaigned hard for him, and even harder for healthcare reform.
This crises needs to be addressed. Apparently, Obama isn't paying attention, or needs to go see what is happening to Arizona.

[Steve Rodriguez]

The former Prime Minister of Singapore was asked in Washington whether immigration was good for America? He replied, "Yes, but you have to receive more than fruit pickers!"

[candorguy]

The demagoguery of Los Angeles City Council and it's Mayor should all bite their own tongues and swallow it. A call to boycott Arizona is plain asininity! And it's not the panacea. Arizona did what was necessary in order to control the flow of illegal immigration--plain and simple! Somebody had to step up to the plate. You want to come to America, take a number and stand it line! Sneaking across the border surreptitiously is unethical and illegal per se. You have a better idea? Lets hear it, as long as it's logical and not incongruous like the mayor and his inept entourage.

[HypnoToad]

And isn't it just like President Zero and his gang of cabinet creeps to piss n' moan about SB1070, yet not do a single thing about the problem? If the law's so bad, propose an alternative! Old media keep telling us he's got an IQ of, like, 950. Where's the solution, genius?

[Carolyn]

Why has the term "illegal" even become a discussion...you break the law, enter into this country illegally and you are now given so many rights that tax-paying Americans don't even have. We are even suffering more as a result. You have no right to be in America if you didn't enter legally, whether you're Latino, European or Asian...who cares...PERIOD!!! This is not about race, but to preserve what's left of this great country.

[PATRIOT]

the only reason L.A. is boycotting Arizona is because there are too many mexicans with illegal family members in the L.A. council, once they get their foot in the door they hold it open for their mexican counter parts, corruption and nepitism is part of the mexican way look at the mexican goverment and now its finally spreading here and ruining this wonderful country and yes lets stop being so PC this is a MEXICAN PROBLEM ...i dont see this being a problem comming from Canada!

[PATRIOT]

BORDER PATROLS SHOULD NOT BE OF MEXICAN DESCENT, BECAUSE OF FAVORITISM.

[D Lusardi]

Mr. Obama:
Listen to the people of your country, not Mexico's leader. Have some honor.

[Paul]

We should THANK Gov Brewer for having the balls to sign this into law!

I'm not against immigration. This nation was founded on immigration. However, I am against ILLEGAL immigration.

If LA or any other entity wants to boycott AZ, well then I'll boycott that entity.

[I Love La]

LACC "If we keep pushing the AZ law issue, Los Angeles residents won't notice we screwed up the budget again."

L.A Lakers lead Phoenix Suns 2-0.
Unfortunately, the LACC is 0-716 against July 2010 LA Layoffs.

[Mike Adcock]

Thank God someone finally had the intestinal fortitude to just QUIT sitting back and letting things continue on the downhill slide! I'm an old Viet Nam vet who
rides a motorcycle across country each summer just to enjoy our great country's natural beauty. Just wanted you folks in Arizona to know that this year's trip will
NOT include California, but will be centered on some quality time in your state.
Although I will not be able to spend a significant amount of money to actually move your fiscal situation, I will spend what little I have while enjoying your wide open spaces. May the force of us plain old staunch Americans be with you!

[HappyCamper]

Widen the door for legal immigration, close the door to illegal immigration, secure the border, and make it less attractive for illegal immigrants to cross over! If it weren't so EASY people wouldn't be doing it. Cut out welfare for illegal immigrants and maybe we should take another look at birthright citizenship. Immigration is GOOD but illegal immigration isn't.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Say hasta la vista to the LA city council during the next election.

[June]

If this whole immigration mess weren't so serious, it would be ludicrous. Here we have American citizens, our own Congress and our President NOT wanting immigration laws enforced. The President is said to have read the Arizona laws. Wonder if it sounded familiar? It should. It almost mirrors federal law. Does he find that one "misguided?" Then we have that pompous clown from Mexico coming here, addresing our Congress and stands there to tell us how he disapproves of our laws - both immigration and gun control laws. Now, the immigration laws of HIS country are much more stringent. He is an idiot and a hypocrite. And, he was surrounded by idiots and hypocrites who actually gave him a standing ovation. That was the most digusting display I've even seen. And, at no time in the history of this country have so many traitors been in the same room at the same time!

[Juan in Cai]

The truth may come out, soon.

This is an issue of Mexico's foreign policy vs America's lack of a strong national policy to enforce its borders and protect its own land and citizens from all forces " domestic and foreign."

Yes, it is a fact that America will spend billions to defend other nations, Japan, Korea, Iraq and the Federal Gov't does not have the will to control its own southern border from the political/economic policy enacted by Mexico.

This is not about race nor about legality. This is about Mexico, first and foremost. This is about Mexico's abysmal failure of providing a sound political and economic framework for its own people. This is about Mexico's lack of education to all its people. This is about the relentless violence and corruption in Mexico. This is about a culture of violence, drug use, lawlessness. This is about Mexico's own politics of sweeping dirt under the rugs and tossing it over the fence.

Mexico, by design, is urging millions of Mexican lower class citizens ( you know this is the truth, the uneducated, the criminals, the lower stratum of mexican society is who is urged to leave Mexico -- the Mexican middle and upper classes do not want them there in their own country ) to walk into America, take what they can find, and send the money back to Mexico ( and this is in the Billions, and the second largest source of income other than Oil exports for the nation. Yes, they export labor in exchange for an income stream back to Mexico and they manage to do this on a NET ZERO basis to Mexico. They do not educated, police, house, feed or provide medical care for Mexican nationals who now live, illegally, in the US. It costs Mexico nothing but they can earn billions off the remittances - how about that for a De Facto Welfare State that costs the state nothing!)

That is the hard truth. And the Mexican political class know they can play this game until America just breaks under its own pressure of "racism" and "political correctness." They KNOW THIS!!!

Do you know how many consulates offices Mexico has in the US??

Do you know how many legal teams are hired by the Mexican Gvt in the states to influence policy and other issues?

Do you know how much money Mexico stands to lose if they enforce the border?

Do you know how much money Mexico spends on lobbying Congress?

Do you know how much crime, drug trade, violence will increase in Mexico when they deport Mexican Nationals back to Mexico? ( They know it!)

Do you know how much Mexico cares that they have about 10% of their population now in ANOTHER country? Do you even think they care their working poor and impoverished under class is leaving their own nation?

Do you know how much Mexico cares about its own citizens??

Do you know how much the Mexican drug cartels stand to lose if they tighten the border? Do you know how many politicians they own in Mexico? Do you know how much money they spend on influencing issues in America?

Now -- there, read that again. Is that an issue about race,or immigration debate, or about a State Law, or about newly enacted police powers that may or may not be a violation of civil liberties? NO -- it is not. Those are statements about th REAL issue -- MEXICO, and not the US. The problem is within MEXICO.

When did you ever read a report about these issues in the framework of Mexico's political or economic policy toward America? When did you ever read the stories of how immigration increased when former Prez. Vicente Fox took office. The LA TIMES issued an articled citing this fact!!

[marilyn wissmad]

I'M from Central America and I support 100% the Arizona Law.I have no sympathy for illegal immigrant.Illegal immigrant hurt us all, and they are breaking the law.President Obama,need to support the law to. when I travel to others countries I am required to have my passport and visa with me at all times.Arizona should ship all the illegals to California who so caring for theme.