A new AP-Ipsos poll shows that more than half the Americans asked are open to allowing illegal immigrants to seek legal status.

ABOUT THE POLL:

Associated Press and Ipsos international polling firm

1,003 adults polled Tuesday through Thursday

Sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points

TEMPORARY WORKER PROGRAM:

56 percent favor letting illegal immigrants with jobs apply for legal temporary worker status

62 percent of Democrats support idea

52 percent of Republicans support idea

65 percent of those age 18-29 support idea

54 percent of those 35 and older support it

65 percent of those with college degrees support it

54 percent of those with a high school education or less oppose it.

57 percent of those in urban areas support it

59 percent of those in suburban areas support it

47 percent of those in rural areas support it

CONTRIBUTION OR DRAIN:

51 percent say illegal immigrants mostly contribute to U.S. society

47 percent say illegal immigrants are a drain

61 percent of those age 18-34 say the contribution is positive

46 percent of those 35 years old and older feel that way

64 percent of those with college degree say they make contribution

62 percent of Democrats say they make positive contribution

41 percent of Republicans say they make positive contribution

61 percent earning more than $75,000 a year feel that way

61 percent of people 18-34 feel that way

61 percent of nonwhites feel they make a positive contribution

53 percent of people in rural areas say illegal immigrants are a drain

51 percent say illegal immigrants are a drain

33 percent of Democrats say illegal immigrants are a drain

50 percent of those over 65 say they're a drain

47 percent making under $25,000 year feel that way

WOULD A FENCE REDUCE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION:

Two-thirds say a fence wouldn't reduce the number of illegal immigrants

Majorities in all groups express a lack of confidence that a fence would make a difference

(Analysis by AP Manager of News Surveys Trevor Tompson)