Wanted: Straightforward Political Leadership On Illegals And Rule Of Law

Politics: A new poll shows voters want illegal immigrants aggressively deported, their gaming of the anchor-baby system put to an end and their welfare cut off. Yet the political class still isn't listening. They may regret it.

The message from the Rasmussen telephone survey of 1,000 likely voters taken on April 1-2 couldn't have been clearer: It's time to enforce immigration laws or just forget about having any.

"More voters than ever feel the United States is not aggressive enough in deporting those who are here illegally, even as President Obama continues to push his plan to make up to 5 million illegal immigrants safe from deportation," Rasmussen announced.

The polling group found that 62% of likely voters think the government is not aggressive enough in deporting illegals, up from 52% a year ago. Fifty-one percent think illegals who have "anchor babies" born in the U.S. to discourage deportation shouldn't be exempt from the law, and 54% believe a child born to an illegal immigrant shouldn't get birthright citizenship. These two findings show sharp upturns from the year earlier.

In addition, an overwhelming 83% of voters think welfare applicants should have to prove they're here legally before receiving federal, state or local services and cash — a position that has stayed rock hard for four years.

What changed? Part of it may be the in-your-face activism by illegals themselves, who have brazenly marched through the courts and Congress demanding their "rights," harassed elected officials in their homes, played the race card against opponents, co-opted churches and helped themselves to government benefits they had no right to take.

It's also happening because they have zero fear of immigration laws being enforced and are convinced that if they just make enough political noise, the Obama administration will help them, too.

That's the loud and clear message from the Obama administration, which first shielded millions of undocumented illegals brought to the U.S. as children, extended their two-year period, and then let their parents in.

Read the rest of the IBD editorial HERE.

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