NEW YORK - State voters are divided on Arizona’s new immigration law, as 41 percent approve and 43 percent disapprove of the law, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.

Approval is 69 – 17 percent among Republicans and 45 – 39 percent among independent voters, while Democrats disapprove 64 – 22 percent, the independent poll finds.  Men lean to approval by a narrow 47 – 44 percent, while women disapprove 43 – 36 percent.

By a broader 50 – 37 percent margin, voters do not want New York State to adopt a law like Arizona’s as independent voters shift to 46 – 38 percent against such a move.     Immigration reform should focus on stricter enforcement of laws against illegal immigrants, 58 percent of New York State voters say, while 32 percent say reform should focus on integrating immigrants into society.  Here there is no gender split as women back enforcement 60 – 30 percent, while men want enforcement 57 – 35 percent. 

“On immigration, New Yorkers endorse enforcement over integration as the priority.

But they’re split on the Arizona law.  Two-thirds of Republicans like it; two-thirds of Democrats don’t,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“A slim majority oppose New York’s adoption of a law like Arizona’s.