62 percent of Likely Voters Oppose Executive Amnesty

A new poll reveals the relative unpopularity of executive amnesty among voters.

According to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey released this week, 62 percent of likely voters oppose the president taking unilateral action to provide illegal immigrants with amnesty. A mere 26 percent approve of amnesty without congressional approval, and 12 percent were undecided.

If the president does use executive actions to provide amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, Rasmussen Reports revealed that 55 percent said that Congress should challenge the action in court, 30 percent did not think the action should be taken to court, and 14 percent did not know. 

Additionally, 67 percent of voters believe the border should be secured before the illegal immigrants already in the country are granted amnesty. Twenty-six percent said amnesty should be first.

Meanwhile, among Democratic voters, 47 percent believe Obama should use unilateral action to grant illegal immigrants amnesty. Among Republicans however, 90 percent are opposed, and among unaffiliated voters 65 percent are also opposed. Further, just 46 percent of Democrats believe Obama is legally able to grant unilateral amnesty.

The poll comes as the White House appears to be reconsidering a self-imposed deadline to act at the end of summer amid concerns from red state Democrats facing tough reelection bids.

Friday Obama reaffirmed his commitment to act in the wake of congressional inaction, saying he expects to act “soon.” He did not, however, specify whether soon means before or after the November midterm elections. 

Rasmussen’s poll was conducted among 1,000 likely voters from August 28-29 and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.