Tyche Hendricks: Field Poll shows Californians want Bush immigration scheme

Tyche Hendricks lets us know about a new Field Poll supposedly showing wide support for "guest" workers and an amnesty scheme. It certainly doesn't look good, although there appear to be a few problems both with the poll and with the San Francisco Chronicle's write-up. The PDF with the apparent questions is in this PDF. Bear in mind that it's not clear that what's in there are the actual questions that were asked.

First, the article is subtitled "Majority supports Bush proposals for immigration reform", but the survey was done between March 20 and 31. Bush's latest immigration scheme wasn't even leaked until March 29. And, all the amnesty scams heretofore discussed have endless features and loopholes that can't be covered in a simple poll; whether the current Bush scheme matches up to this poll is a bit doubtful in places.

Second, the article says:

California voters increasingly oppose a federal plan for 700 more miles of border fence -- with just 37 percent favoring it this year, down from 47 percent last April...

But, according to the PDF this was the question that was asked:

Build a wall along major sections of the U.S.-Mexico border

A "wall" sounds a bit more harsh than a "fence", which is probably why they used that; on the other hand they could have said something like, "build more fencing such as is currently in place in San Diego and other places".

Third, the article says:

...just 53 percent of those polled voiced support the current policy of federal agents rounding up, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants.

From the PDF, here's the supposed question:

Continue the new policy of having federal immigration agents round up, detain and deport immigrants found to be living here illegally

Except, of course, that's not a "new" policy. In fact - shocking as it may be to Hendricks and the rest of the illegal immigration-supporting infrastructure - that's their job. There is a new program (Return to Sender) which that infrastructure has fought mightily against, but that's not a new policy.

The last question might have been designed to determine, "is our pro-illegal immigration propaganda which has demagogued small raids designed to deport criminal and fugitive aliens working?"

And, one wonders exactly how we can square the conflict between those who want to fine employers, but not deport illegal aliens. Do those who support large fines but no deportations realize what they're supporting is tantamount to loose borders, where any illegal who can make it over the border will not be deported?

The poll does contain somewhat more straightforward questions which do have disturbingly high approval:

Create a program that would allow illegal immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for a number of years an opportunity to stay in this country and apply for citizenship if they have a job, learned English and paid back taxes... [and] Create temporary worker programs for illegal immigrants that would legalize their status and allow future immigrants to work in this country

What's needed there is education about the impacts those programs would have, such as by encouraging even more illegal immigration.

(Also, Brandon Bailey of InsideBayArea subtitles his report the surprisingly similar "California favors Bush plan: mix of amnesty, enforcement". Why, it's like they're reading from the same talking points.)

Comments

I see that great minds think alike! No sooner had I finished my own blog entry about our good friend Tyche Hendricks, I came over here and discovered an excellent piece! Here's what I can add to it. Cheers... from San Fransanity... Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Tyche Hendricks - propagandist - is at it again! Another sly piece of pro-illegal alien propaganda made it's way into SFGate again today, and, as usual, the author was none other than pro-illegal alien propagandist extraordinaire Tyche Hendricks. Hendricks, who asserts rather incredibly that 4 out of 5 Californians favor legalizing illegals, plays fast and loose with the facts. He cited a Field Poll on immigration as his source for his conclusions, so I thought it might be fun to get a copy of the report and see if what the report says and what Hendricks SAYS it says match up. And, as you will see, they kinda don't... Hendricks asserts... Support among California voters for legalizing undocumented immigrants rose to 83 percent from 75 percent last April, while 67 percent of respondents backed a guest worker plan, up from 60 percent a year ago. But Hendricks, as usual, leaves a couple things out. While his numbers are accurate, his conclusions as to what they constitute are not. One might get the idea that the Field Poll question was "Do you favor legalization for illegal immigrants?" But, what the Field Poll ACTUALLY says is this (emphasis mine)... (Should we) Create a program that would allow illegal immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for a number of years an OPPORTUNITY to stay in this country and apply for citizenship IF THEY HAVE A JOB, LEARNED ENGLISH, AND PAID BACK TAXES? To take that statement and word it to make it sound like a blanket amnesty is dishonest, and, unfortunately, typical of Hendrick's style. Another example... Support among California voters for legalizing undocumented immigrants rose to 83 percent from 75 percent last April, while 67 percent of respondents backed a guest worker plan, up from 60 percent a year ago. Again, there are some important qualifiers (in regards to the GWP) that Hendricks has conveniently left out. The question posed by the Field Poll was not, as Hendricks suggests, do you support a GWP, but was, in fact (again, with my emphasis)... (Should we) Create TEMPORARY worker programs for illegal immigrants that would LEGALIZE THEIR STATUS (presumably, as temporary workers) and allow future immigrants to work in this country? Here's more... California voters increasingly oppose a federal plan for 700 more miles of border fence -- with just 37 percent favoring it this year, down from 47 percent last April, the Field Poll found. And just 53 percent of those polled voiced support the current policy of federal agents rounding up, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants. JUST 53%? That sounds like a majority to me, and, again, there's a hidden bias here. Hendricks speaks gushingly

the reason why is money and political race ideals, understand population is a weapon and its being used by the power guy's to take your nation from you read what wolfowitz said about one world government and what is being planned for you at the next Bilderberg meeting, I love it!

_(Should we) Create a program that would allow illegal immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for a number of years an OPPORTUNITY to stay in this country and apply for citizenship IF THEY HAVE A JOB, LEARNED ENGLISH, AND PAID BACK TAXES?_ OF course, if this plan is implemented we can safely predict the following: (1) it will be more than an "opportunity", legalization will mean virtually automatic legalization for all applicants, (2) _noone_ will be deported for failing an English test, (3) paying any back taxes will be on a very easy payment plan (not to mention that determinng tax liabilty might be difficult for people using one or more false or stolen ss numbers or those working off-the books; in fact if you're working off-the-books you can simply invent an income that allows you to incur zero tax libility). _Should we) Create TEMPORARY worker programs for illegal immigrants that would LEGALIZE THEIR STATUS (presumably, as temporary workers) and allow future immigrants to work in this country?_ The Bush plan proposes "infiniely renewable" visas for illegal aliens.That doesn't sound "temporary" to me.

_(2) noone will be deported for failing an English test,..._ Absolutely true. I mean, even if they do fail (and lots will), given current practice, E.G. WE ALREADY PRINT BALLOTS IN MORE THAN A FEW FOREIGN LANGUAGES TO ACCOMMODATE VOTERS (CITIZENS) WHO DON\'T SPEAK ENGLISH WELL ENOUGH (for gosh sakes), what practical, enforceable effect could it possibly have?! Wouldn't they just get permanent residence anyway (and wait a while longer for citizenship)? All of these bullshit don't pass go and collect $200 tack-ons are so fucking absurd and really show how intellectually bankrupt many lawmakers are; they seem to either have total contempt for the average person paying attention to all of this, or maybe they are just that dumb and infantile, and expect we are too. It's pathetic.

And is the government going to hire a million new workers to test their language skills, tax "records," and backgrounds? A poll can ask anything. "Would you rather be poked in the eye with a big stick or pass Bush's amnesty plan?"

Within 20 to 30 years most people will know one thing the USA Has become Mexico in all things and i mean in all things, and no one will care about laws from a dead country. so go with the Bush plan and watch the fun, that is if you are in your 50 or 60's but if you are 30 or 40 and are not Hispanic find a place that your Family will not be Murdered or Beheaded mexican will become Great Islamists in the coming future