Legalization, Republicans See Upside Its from Legalization, Republicans See Also Upside Its Downside from Percent who agree that when it the comes U.S to Percent undocumented who agree immigrants that when in it the comes U.S to Hard workers who should
Republicans see benefits – as well as costs – from legalization. Our June survey found that a large majority of Republicans (70%) think it would be better for the U.S. economy if undocumented immigrants became legal workers. About as many (69%) said undocumented immigrants are “hard workers who should have an opportunity to stay” in the United States.” And fully 76% say it would be unrealistic to deport everyone in the country illegally.
Yet substantial percentages of Republicans also see potential downsides from granting undocumented immigrants legal status: 77% say it would encourage more people to come to the U.S. illegally and 68% think it would reward illegal behavior. Most also say legalization would drain government services (68%) and cost U.S. jobs (66%).
Legalization, Republicans See Upside Its from  | Legalization, Republicans See Also Upside Its Downside from  | Percent who agree that when it the comes U.S to  | Percent undocumented who agree immigrants that when in it the comes U.S to  | Republican  | Democrat  | 76  | Deporting unrealistic all  | Deporting is unrealistic  | 80  | 70  | Better for economy if they  | become legal workers they  | 83  | Hard workers who should  | have opportunity to stay  | 81  | Granting legal status  | Would encourage here illegally more  | 77  | to come here illegally  | 53  | 72  | Would be a drain on  | government services  | 50  | 68  | Would reward  | illegal beha reward vior  | 66  | Would take jobs  | from U.S citizens  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER/USA TODAY June 12-16 2013, 