A poll conducted earlier this month seems to indicate the Obama Administration's decision to stop deporting certain undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children may not have helped boost his reputation on the issue among voters.
The Washington Post and ABC News conducted a poll asking whether or not voters approve of Obama's handling of the immigration issue. His rating was essentially identical to what it was at this point in 2010 and he received virtually the same favorable numbers as opponent Mitt Romney.
Less than 40 percent of adults polled said they approved of the job Obama was doing on issues related to immigration, while approximately half said they disapproved of his performance. Approximately 45 percent said they trusted Obama on the issue.
Voters in the eight swing states believed to be critical to the 2012 election (Nevada, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, Virginia, Vermont and Florida) polled at virtually identical numbers, thought the swing states had a slightly higher disapproval and trust percentages than the rest of the country.
Among all adults, 45 percent said they trusted Romney with regard to how he would handle the immigration issue. The percentage was a few points lower in the swing states.
Of particular interest is that the poll asked voters specifically whether or not the shift in policy made them more or less likely to vote for Obama November. Twice as many said the decision means they are less likely to cast their vote for the president.
In Florida - expected to be among the most important states in deciding the race - a recent poll did show support for allowing so-called DREAM Act children to remain in country. A Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times poll found Floridians backed the decision 53 to 42 percent. Not surprisingly that approval number raises to 63 percent in South Florida.
It is important to note that in recent polls voters have said immigration is not one of the top priorities in deciding how they make their decision. According to some polls less than one in five say immigration is an important issue for their vote.
