Only 14% in US back resolutions against Arizona
Poll: 68% object to boycotts
Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services
Posted: Friday, May 21, 2010 12:00 am
PHOENIX – A new nationwide survey suggests most Americans do not agree with calls to boycott Arizona over its new immigration law.
The telephone poll of 1,000 adults conducted Monday and Tuesday by Rasmussen Reports found that 14 percent of those questioned said it is a good idea for cities and other states to curtail their business contacts with Arizona because of the law. Another 68 percent said boycotts are a bad idea, with the remainder having no opinion or not sure.
Los Angeles became the largest city to join the list last week from conducting business with Arizona unless and until the law is repealed. Several other major cities have passed similar resolutions, including Boston.
But the Rasmussen survey suggested these communities run a risk for doing that.
Of those responding, 40 percent said they would avoid doing business with any nearby city or state that boycotts Arizona. But 43 percent said the boycott vote by any community would not affect their own shopping decisions, with the balance unsure.
The new law set to take effect July 29 requires police, when practicable, to question those they have stopped for some other reason about their immigration status if there is “reasonable suspicion”' that person is an illegal immigrant.
Another provision essentially makes being in this country illegally a violation of state law. And those who harbor, conceal or transport those they know are illegal immigrants would face new penalties.
The law has provoked criticism, much of it elsewhere, including comments both by President Obama, who said the law could lead to racial profiling. And Mexican President Felipe Caldern weighed in Thursday with his own objections during his visit to Washington.
But public sympathy may lie with Arizona lawmakers, who approved the measure, and Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed it.
The survey shows that 26 percent of those asked say the views of political leaders in Washington more closely represent their own ideas on immigration – and 55 percent say their views are closer to those of Arizona politicians.
The survey has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Gov. Jan Brewer approval poll / A8
