Republicans Feel Party isn’t Focusing Enough on Illegal Immigration

A new Washington Post poll reveals that the majority of Republicans feel that their party is not paying enough attention to illegal immigration. The poll found that 61 percent of Republicans think the party is putting too little emphasis on the issue while only 9 percent think they’re putting too much emphasis.

The poll asked questions about a variety of issues, and for each issue, including illegal immigration, it asked respondents “if you think the party in general puts too much emphasis on the issue, too little emphasis on the issue, or about the right amount?”

Republicans over the age of 65 have stronger feelings about illegal immigration than younger Republicans. Sixty-seven percent say the party is focusing too little on the issue. Only 55 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds believe the party is focusing too little, but still a majority. Between the ages of 35 and 64, 61 percent feel the party is not doing enough. Overall, 29 percent feel that the Republicans are doing just enough to address the issue.

Last month, the House Republican Leadership could have forced Democrats into a difficult position by motioning to recommit the health care bill with instructions to strengthen verification language aimed at excluding illegal aliens from the bill. But instead, the leadership chose to focus on the issue of tort reform.

For more information on the poll, see the Washington Post.