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 News from Around the Americas | May 2006 
Americans Hold Differing Views on Immigration
 Angus Reid
| | A former Mexican worker of the 1942 Bracero Guest Worker Program Efrain Lopez, 79, stands near symbolic crosses during a demonstration at the Armas Plaza, Monday, May 1, 2006 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The crosses read 'Undocumented Workers Also Pay Taxes; Undocumented Workers are Also Humans.' (AP/Guillermo Arias) |
Many adults in the United States think undocumented workers can have a positive effect on their country, according to a poll by SurveyUSA. 71 per cent of respondents believe illegal immigrants are hard working, and only 26 per cent say they contribute nothing to American society.
Still, 52 per cent of respondents think America can no longer afford to be a melting pot, and 50 per cent say the economic costs associated with having illegal immigrants in the U.S. outweigh the economic benefits.
Last month, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million.
In December 2005, the House of Representatives passed a bill that seeks to make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally or to help an undocumented person stay in the country. The proposal also calls for the construction of a new 1,100 kilometre fence on the U.S.-Mexico border.
On Apr. 6, several senators announced a compromise package that would place illegal immigrants in three different groups depending on the amount of time they have spent in the U.S. The plan, called the "roots concept" by Republican lawmakers, would favour persons who have lived in the U.S. for more than five years. The proposal has not been ratified.
On May 5, Republican Wisconsin congressman James Sensenbrenner revealed the findings of a study on illegal immigration around the world, saying, "With all the blustery rhetoric coming from opponents about a ‘harsh’ and ‘draconian’ House bill, I note that five out of the six countries studied—including Mexico—make illegal entry and unlawful presence a criminal offence."
Polling Data
I’m going to read some statements. Please tell me if each statement is true or false.
Most illegal immigrants are hard working people trying to create a better life
True 71% - False 24%
America can no longer afford to be a melting pot
True 52% - False 40%
The economic costs associated with having illegal immigrants in the U.S. outweigh the economic benefits
True 50% - False 29%
Most illegal immigrants contribute nothing to society
True 26% - False 67%
Source: SurveyUSA
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,200 American adults, conducted from Apr. 28 to Apr. 30, 2006. Margin of error is 2.9 per cent. |
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