Six in 10 Americans support citizenship path for illegals

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Nearly two-thirds of Americans favour a path to citizenship - with conditions - for undocumented immigrants, according to a new poll out on Thursday, as lawmakers debate reform plans.

Lawmakers from both sides of the United States (US) political divide, as well as President Barack Obama, have expressed optimism about striking a deal on immigration reform in 2013, but a potential pathway to citizenship remains a hurdle.

In a poll of 4,500 people by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution, 63 per cent said that the 11 million people living in the US illegally should be allowed to become citizens.

That was three times as high as the 21 per cent who thought they should be found and deported. Another 14 per cent said illegal immigrants should be allowed to get permanent resident status.