Poll: Border control over citizenship path

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Voters say controlling the border should be the legislative priority over legalizing illegal immigrants already in the United States, Rasmussen Reports said.

Survey results released Tuesday indicated 65 percent of likely U.S. voters said gaining control of the border is more important immigration legislation than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already in the United States, Rasmussen Reports said. Twenty-seven percent said legalizing the status of illegal workers is more important.

Seventy-nine percent of Republicans and 67 percent of voters who didn't declare a party affiliation said securing the border is the more important element of any such immigration-related legislation. That view also is held by 50 percent of Democrats, while 43 percent said they held the opposite view, Rasmussen Reports said.

Sixty-two percent of all voters, regardless of party affiliation, said they believe the policies and practices of the federal government encourage people to enter the United States illegally, results indicated.

Results are based on a nationwide survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted Thursday and Friday. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.