Poll: Western voters back border fence

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The overwhelming majority of Westerners say they support efforts to stem illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border, a poll indicates.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Monday that Westerners support completing construction of a border fence and penalizing employers who hire undocumented workers.

The newspaper reported that more than 75 percent of Nevadans and 71 percent of people regionally said they support the efforts

The poll of 400 likely voters in six Western states was conducted Aug. 13 to Aug. 15 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. The regional results have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Individual state results have a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

The states polled were Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

"It's a mixed bag with immigration," said Brad Coker, managing partner with Mason-Dixon. "People want border security and to have laws enforced, but they also understand there are people here working who are probably good for the economy."