A majority of likely U.S. voters believe the Justice Department should take legal action against cities that provide sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
According to a Rasmussen Reports poll released Friday, 62 percent of likely voters say the Justice Department should penalize "sanctuary cities" that do not comply with the federal government’s immigration laws.
The poll comes as sanctuary cities undergo extra scrutiny following last week’s murder of a San Francisco woman suspected to have been carried out by an illegal immigrant.
Only 26 percent oppose the federal government taking legal action against such cities, and 12 percent of likely voters are undecided on the issue.
Furthermore, a majority of 58 percent agree that the federal government should cut off funds to these sanctuary cities for providing asylum for illegal immigrants to the United State, while 32 percent oppose such punishment.
Republicans and unaffiliated voters are significantly more likely to support the federal government penalizing sanctuary cities. While 79 percent of GOP voters and 65 percent of unaffiliated voters support the Justice Department taking legal action against these cities, only 43 percent of Democrats agree.
Likewise, 79 percent of Republicans and 61 percent of unaffiliated voters believe sanctuary cities should be cut off from federal aid, while 54 percent of Democrats oppose such action.
Rasmussen Reports surveyed 1,000 likely U.S. voters between July 8 and 9.