Virginia Poll Data

Voters in Virginia support an immigration enforcement law similar to Arizona’s for their own state, 62% to 34% (Quinnipiac, July 2012).

• A Zogby poll conducted on May 26-27, 2007 of 606 Likely Voters in Virginia found:
  • 55.7% believe illegal immigration is having a negative impact on the state.
  • 55.1% oppose amnesty and support the enforcement of current immigration laws. Only 35% of Virginians support amnesty.
  • 74% believe that amnesty would harm American workers.
  • 84.3% believe that the state should require all employers to use E-Verify to ensure the workers they hire are legally allowed to work in America.
  • 60.2% think that those who violate immigration laws are responsible for the consequences it causes for their families.
  • 72.8% oppose expanding healthcare to illegal aliens beyond emergency treatment.

• A Rasmussen Report conducted on October 24, 2007 of 500 Likely Voters in Virginia found:
  • 88% oppose undocumented immigrants receiving public benefits such as rental and housing assistance and business licenses. 
  • 82% oppose making drivers’ licenses available to illegal immigrants. 
  • 79% said they favor police officers automatically checking legal status during traffic stops, and 67% said if someone stopped turns out to be illegal, they should be deported
  • 72% favor enforcing proof of citizenship when renting an apartment. 
  • 71% favor strict government sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants 
  • 88% believe it is important for the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration (72% “very important” and 18% “somewhat important”). 

• A Washington Post telephone poll of 1,144 Virginian voters, October 4-8th revealed:
  • 75% of likely voters said immigration is important to their votes in state and lcoal elections. 
  • 69% believe the federal government has not done enough to deal with illegal immigration. 
  • 60% would be more likely inclined to support an office seeker who advocated aggressive state and local action against illegal immigration. 
  • 53% want the federal and state government to “do a lot” in dealing with illegal immigration. 
  • 52% think illegal immigration is a problem in their area of the state. 

• A Washington Post poll of 1, 144 Virginia voters, October 2007 found
  • 60% voters said they are more likely to support a candidate who advocates “…strong state and local action against illegal immigrants.” 
  • 36% identified “immigration issues” as “extremely important” in influencing their vote for the state legislature (highest rated issue after “the economy” 39%). 
  • 31% in Northern Virginia identified “immigration” as one of the top two issues facing the state (highest rated issue after “transportation” 33%). 

• A Washington Post poll of registered Virginia voters, August 2005 found: 
  • “Would you support or oppose using public money to help pay for designated places where day laborers could gather while they wait to be hired?” a clear majority (56%-42%) were opposed. 
  • “What if some of these day laborers were in the country illegally?” the responses became overwhelmingly opposed (78%-19%). 
  • Asked whether immigration in general “has been (good/bad/no difference) for your community” the responses were negative (53%-21%).