Ohio Immigration Poll Numbers

Some interesting data that provides a view of the schizophrenia we're seeing across the U.S. with respect to treatment of the migrant community.

The latest Quinnipiac University Poll, which surveyed 1,231 Ohio voters between Nov. 6 and 11, found that 84 percent believe the government should not issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, while 86 percent of surveyed voters oppose providing illegal immigrants with government-subsidized health insurance. The strongest majority in the poll, 88 percent, came from support for the government requiring employers to verify the validity of Social Security numbers used to gain employment.

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Sounds like Hardliner City, right? Well, just to muddle up things, Ohioans also say:

When given the hypothetical power to retain or deport an immigrant who has worked in the United States for at least two years, 55 percent of respondents said they'd allow the immigrant to work toward obtaining legal status while 38 favored deportation.

This piece of equation is something that has been completely lacking as the wedge campaign continues. Congress refuses to address the status of migrant peoples who are ensnared in the current, broken system. While they've stalled, Operation Wetback v.2007 has continued to be carried out across the country.

This is a complex issue, which can't be dealt with in a black-and-white manner - I think that's why there are such conflicting responses from people when polls like this are run. One thing I'll say regarding border policies, however (60% support the Great Wall of America™): build one between the U.S. and Canada first and then we'll talk about whether or not it's a race-based issue.