The Republican-controlled House has refused to take up an immigration reform bill passed by the Senate in the summer, choosing to push for more successful border security measures on the nation’s southwest border.
Many Obama administration officials have also visited the hunger-strikers including Vice President Joe Biden, Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, White House Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz, and Obama’s confidante Valerie Jarrett.
False Hope?
During Obama’s speech before the hunger-striking activists on Friday, he told them the American people supported them in their quest. However, according to political pollster, Scott Rasmussen, the facts do not support Obama’s claims.
An October 2013 Rasmussen poll of likely voters indicated:
Only 25% think it is even somewhat likely that the federal government will secure the border and prevent illegal immigration with new immigration legislation; 65% consider it unlikely.
Only 18% think illegal aliens should be given immediate amnesty; 62% believe legalization should occur only after the border is secured, and 19% are unsure.
40% favor the immigration bill passed by the Senate (S.744); 40% oppose it, and 20% are undecided. Support was down from 53% just one month earlier.
29% think the House should pass Senate bill. 44% think that the House should review the Senate bill piece by piece. 27% are undecided.
Only 28% believe “comprehensive” immigration reform will pass Congress and be signed by the President this year.
59% of likely voters say that securing the U.S. border is more important than amnesty. 34% say that amnesty is more important than border security (Rasmussen, July 2013).
Only 28% of likely voters believe that the federal government is likely to secure the U.S. border if comprehensive immigration reform plan passes Congress.
Only 38% of likely voters believe that DHS should be able declare that the U.S. borders are secure.
