Obama on Immigration Reform: 59 Percent Disapprove of Immigration Management, Job Approval Hit New Lows
President Barack Obama's handling of immigration and his overall job performance has declined to new lows based on polling data.
With 52 percent, Americans polled by ABC News and the Washington Post viewed Obama's presidency "more as a failure" than successful. Only 42 percent of Americans viewed Obama's presidency as a success.
In regards to immigration, Obama ranked poorly. Obama received support from 31 percent of respondents, considered by pollsters to be a "new low." The new low for Obama's handling of immigration comes after the president delayed issuing an executive action until after November. The White House had originally projected a decision by Obama would come in late August or early September, but the president has confirmed the delay.
With an increase of 18 percentage points compared to spring 2013, 59 percent disapprove of Obama's managing of immigration.
Immigration appears to be a hot issue for respondents as 46 percent favored providing legal status for undocumented immigrants living and working in the U.S., which is down from 51 percent last fall. Fifty percent of respondents oppose providing legal status despite if an undocumented immigrant is already living and working in the country, which is an increase from last fall's disapproval rating of 43 percent.
Respondents are more likely to vote for a Congressional candidate that opposes a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants. With 52 percent, however, respondents prefer Obama act alone on immigration if the inaction by Congress continues.
Eight in 10 Latinos polled also favored Obama issuing an executive action, while the report noted, "And Hispanics, naturally, are far more apt to back like-minded candidates."
For Obama's handling of international affairs, the rating also declined. Down 8 percentage points, Obama received 38 percent approval from respondents, labeled a "career low." Meanwhile, 56 percent disapproved.
"Fifty-two percent say [Obama's] been too cautious in dealing with Islamic insurgents in Iraq and Syria. And the public is ahead of Obama in support for a military response to that crisis, with 65 percent in favor of extending U.S. air strikes to Syria," the report noted.
Coincidentally, the White House confirmed the president will deliver an address about the threat of the Islamic State and Syria (ISIS) and U.S. strategy to degrade the terrorist group. Obama's address is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. EST from the State Floor of the White House. The poll recorded 91 percent of Americans stating ISIS is a "serious threat" to vital interests of the U.S.
ABC News and the Washington Post polled 1,001 adults in English and Spanish for the survey between Sept. 4 and Sept. 7.
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