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November 5, 2005

Many Americans Open to Temporary Worker Program

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States would welcome a plan to establish a guest worker plan in their country, according to a poll by Scripps Howard News Service released by Ohio University. 50 per cent of respondents believe Congress should allow illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. as long as they have willing employers, while 40 per cent disagree.

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service estimates that more than 7 million illegal immigrants are currently living in the country. A recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants at 10.3 million. While California is home to most workers, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina have the greatest rates of increase. 45 per cent of respondents believe the number of immigrants allowed in the U.S. should decrease, while 34 per cent would maintain the present level.

In January 2004, U.S. president George W. Bush tabled his proposal for a major overhaul of the U.S. immigration system. The plan includes a "temporary worker program" that would grant legal status to undocumented workers, who would pay taxes, be required to return to their home country after three years, and receive no special preference if they decide to apply for permanent citizenship.

On Oct. 18, Bush explained his views on immigration, saying, "We’ve got to strengthen security along our borders to stop people from entering illegally. In other words, we’ve got to stop people from coming here in the first place. Secondly, we must improve our ability to find and apprehend illegal immigrants who have made it across the border. If somebody is here illegally, we’ve got to do everything we can to find them. And thirdly, we’ve got to work to ensure that those who are caught are returned to their home countries as soon as possible."

Polling Data

Should Congress enact a guest worker plan to allow illegal immigrants to stay in this country as long as they have willing employers?

Yes 50%

No 40%

Don’t know 8%

Other response 2%

I’d like to ask you about immigration. In general, should the number of immigrants allowed in the United States be kept at its present level, increased or decreased?

Kept at present level 34%

Increased 11%

Decreased 45%

Don’t know 7%

Other response 3%