Three-fourths of all Utahns want the so-called “Dreamers” to stay in the United States and eventually become citizens, a new UtahPolicy.com poll shows.
Dreamers are illegals who were brought to the U.S. by their parents while still children. Many of them don’t know their birth countries at all, and may not speak their birth country languages.
All demographic and political groups want those children, now adults, to be able to stay here, finds pollster Dan Jones & Associates.
Some of Jones’ numbers:
- 76 percent of Utahns “strongly” or “somewhat” support allowing the Dreamers to stay in the U.S. and eventually apply to become citizens.
- 22 percent oppose such a route for the Dreamers.
- And 3 percent don’t know.
- 71 percent of men say the Dreamers should stay.
- 80 percent of women agree.
The issue of Dreamers is political and partisan to some degree.
GOP President Donald Trump has rescinded former Democratic President Barack Obama’s order that the Dreamers can stay.
But, as is typical these days, the Republican-controlled Congress has refused to act on the issue, even though most Americans want some kind of action to keep these folks here.
- 64 percent of Utah Republicans want the Dreamers to stay, 33 percent don’t.
- Democrats are united, 93 percent say the Dreamers should stay and become citizens at some point.
- Political independents agree, 84-12 percent.
Even the most conservative Utahns want the Dreamers to stay in the U.S. – 53-42 percent.
All other folks, the “somewhat conservatives” down to the “very liberals” also want them in the U.S. by large majorities.
Leaders of the LDS Church have spoken out about how Dreamers should be treated with love and understanding, and some manner found to make them “get right” with immigration law.
“Very active” Mormons favor keeping the Dreamers here, 74-23 percent.
All other religious groups – and those who have no religion – favor keeping the Dreamers here by large majorities.
In the 4th Congressional District, where Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, is being challenged by Democrat Ben McAdams, 80 percent of voters say keep Dreamers here, only 18 percent want them to leave.
Love’s parents were legal immigrants, she was born here so is a U.S. citizen. Love has called for Dreamers to be treated fairly and with compassion.
Jones polled 809 adults from Aug. 22-31. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percent.
