POLL: Majority of Americans have Obama's back on immigration

By Chad Merda

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md. gets a thumbs up from Antonia Surco, originally from Peru, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, on the House Republican’s immigration policies. Republicans in the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn President Barack Obama’s immigration policies and remove protections for immigrants brought illegally to America as kids. | AP Photo/Susan Walsh

While the GOP-controlled House passed legislation Wednesday to roll back immigration reforms ordered by President Barack Obama, a majority of Americans say the executive actions should be allowed to stand.

A CBS News poll of 1,001 Americans showed that 55 percent support Obama’s immigration move, even though only 48 percent of those polled believe he acted within his authority as president.

Also, 62 percent of those polled say they’re in favor of letting some illegal immigrants already here to remain temporarily and apply for a work permit.

Sixty-nine percent of Americans support legal status for illegal immigrants currently in the U.S., including over half who favor a path to citizenship. Twenty-seven percent think illegal immigrants should be required to leave the U.S.

When it comes to the economy, optimism hasn’t been this high in nearly eight years. Fifty-three percent say the economy is good, a significant improve from three years ago, when only 21 percent thought so.

CBS News Evening Release Poll 1-14-15

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