Bryant Has Public Opinion On His Side

The Clarion-Ledger has an article today serving as a follow up to yesterday’s piece where Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant used the term anchor baby- referring to children born in the U.S. whose parents are illegal. The children instantly become citizens (and all the benefits that come with it) and can sponsor their parents efforts to become legal citizens down the road.

While Bryant stood by his use of the term anchor baby, the Clarion-Ledger quoted former state Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz and Ivan Roman, the executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, who had a problem with it. Rep. Jim Evans (D-Jackson) called it derogatory and not helpful for a debate on the issue (although Evans also said he doesn’t see a civil debate on the subject regardless). It will be interesting to see if opponents of the strict immigration legislation we are likely to see in 2011 try using that or any other terms they deem derogatory as a way out of passing legislation.

As for policy allowing children born to illegal immigrants- which Bryant was referring to, by a 58-33 margin voters nationwide don’t like it and do not think they should automatically become a citizen. Four years ago the spread was 54-36 so little has changed from the last time immigration was center stage. And regarding decisions to mirror Arizona’s immigration laws- 61 percent of voters nationwide favor legislation like that in their own state. And one last poll- 86 percent of likely voters consider immigration “at least somewhat important” in their decision on how to vote this November, which the bulk who consider the issue very important strongly in favor of Arizona.