Thread: Anti-immigration sentiment growing in US

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...2:shock:N.html

Anti-immigration sentiment growing in U.S.

Associated Press
Mar. 28, 2006 09:30 AM


LOS ANGELES - A majority of immigrants believe anti-immigration sentiment is growing in this country and are alarmed by the tone of the debate over reform, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

Just under one-third of those surveyed, all of whom described themselves as legal immigrants, said Congress and President Bush are doing a good job on the issue.

The findings come as the U.S. Senate considers immigration reform proposals, including legislation approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday that would clear the way for 11 million illegal aliens to seek U.S. citizenship. advertisement

Lawmakers are also considering legislation that would make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally, impose new penalties on employers who hire illegals and build more fences along the U.S.-Mexican border.

The poll was conducted by the firm Bendixen & Associates between Feb. 24 and March 21. Researchers said they interviewed 800 legal immigrants in 47 states who were reached by random digit dialing in communities with large numbers of immigrants. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

When told about reform proposals in Congress, 68 percent of poll respondents said they supported temporary work permits for illegal immigrants and a way for them to apply for residency after learning English and paying a fine.

That seems to conflict with arguments by some lawmakers who argue that a legalization program would be unfair to legal residents who played by the rules.

"Nobody comes here to get on welfare," said Perias Pillay, 43, who was 18 when he immigrated legally from Malaysia and joined a massive immigration rally in Los Angeles. "They come here to work, and as long as we need workers we should let them come."

The immigration debate has sparked rallies around the nation by immigrant rights supporters, including the weekend rally in Los Angeles that drew an estimated 500,000 people.

The poll was commissioned by New America Media, a nonprofit San Francisco-based umbrella organization for more than 700 ethnic media outlets.

More than 60 percent of those interviewed said they were alarmed by the tone of the immigration reform debate. Sixty-seven percent said they believed anti-immigration sentiment was growing.

Asked about lawmakers' handling of immigration issues, 32 percent of those surveyed said Congress and President Bush were doing a good job. Democrats received the highest approval with 38 percent; Republicans garnered 22 percent.

On jobs, 81 percent of those surveyed said illegal immigrants accept low-end jobs that Americans don't want, and 73 percent said illegal immigrants aided the economy by supplying low-cost labor.

Delia Adene, 48, who immigrated legally from Mexico and joined the Los Angeles rally, said she was worried about the rhetoric.

"I feel like people see us as criminals now because we want to help our families," Adene said. "We do need more control of the border, but politicians need to talk about this with human justice in mind."

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Researchers said they interviewed 800 legal immigrants in 47 states

First of all, why are they just surveying legal immigrants instead of any legal resident? Of course recent immigrants will likely be sympathetic to other immigrants. Secondly, any survey with a sample size less than 1,000 of any large population is total garbage anyway. So, basically the results of this survey are meaningless.

On the news last nite during an interview an Illegal person stated that America should watch out that we had awakened a sleeping Giant. Hmmm 11 million of them, well that leaves 284734134 of us as LEGAL. If we all would just wake up they might just shut up and then we could force them to Honor our system or LEAVE.

Sad to say, I believe I am becoming anti-something! The way I see it now is, our government is creating this environment...almost like they want to see an out break of violence.

Originally Posted by patbrunz

Researchers said they interviewed 800 legal immigrants in 47 states

First of all, why are they just surveying legal immigrants instead of any legal resident? Of course recent immigrants will likely be sympathetic to other immigrants. Secondly, any survey with a sample size less than 1,000 of any large population is total garbage anyway. So, basically the results of this survey are meaningless.

How come I never get included in any of these polls? Maybe because they are only polling people who belong to Mecha or La Raza

That survey was obviously bunk. Look at who did the survey, then look at who they surveyed.

The protests are going to backfire. Walkouts, blocking freeways, rioting, and other lawless behavior are going to frighten and anger an increasing number of law abiding Americans. The illegals would be wise to remember what used to be called the "silent majority."

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

That survey was obviously bunk. Look at who did the survey, then look at who they surveyed.

The protests are going to backfire. Walkouts, blocking freeways, rioting, and other lawless behavior are going to frighten and anger an increasing number of law abiding Americans. The illegals would be wise to remember what used to be called the "silent majority."

I think you may be right regarding the protests going to backfire. We live in a very small community in Northwest Arizona & my daughter, who owns a small business in town, told me people have been talking about it. She, of course, told them about ALIPAC.