A recent poll says that the decision of President Barack Obama to let some of the younger illegal immigrants stay in the U.S. is favored by the majority of Florida voters. Voters in Florida, particularly in the areas of Central and South Florida that are immigrant-rich, are overwhelmingly in support of a comprehensive reform package for immigration that would allow people living in the U.S. illegally to have a pathway to become citizens.

Throughout the state, over 66% of the polled voters support reform for immigration that allows those living illegally to stay and become citizens. Twenty-eight percent oppose that and six percent remain undecided. Florida voters are also in favor of the recent move by President Obama to protect the younger illegal immigrants, the Dream Act kids, from deportation. They support his recent change in policy 53% to 42%, with 5% of the voters undecided. In the area of South Florida, that support jumps to 63% with only 34% against it.

One voter said he supports Obama’s Dream Act kids policy change, but feels the borders need to be tightened and immigrants who commit crimes should be deported.

Another voter, a retired intelligence officer in the Army who has been a resident of Florida for 18 years, said he supported having strong borders. He also likes the President’s move allowing younger people to remain in the U.S. Helping shape his views he said is the fact his wife and her family are from Honduras.

Other polls nationally have also shown a great deal of support for Obama’s policy of allowing the younger people to remain. The polls underscore how the President has been able to take a lead over his Republican challenger on one issue that may rank lower in importance to the economy, but is seen as a measure of respect to the wider Hispanic community.