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December 8, 2005
High Support for Temporary Worker Program in U.S.

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(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States agree with their president’s proposal to create a special system for foreigners who want to work in the country, according to a poll by Schulman, Ronca, & Bucuvalas (SRBI) Public Affairs published in Time. 72 per cent of respondents support enacting a guest worker program for illegal immigrants.

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.

In his Dec. 3 radio address, Bush discussed his immigration policies, saying, "In this new century we must continue to welcome legal immigrants and help them learn the customs and values that unite all Americans, including liberty and civic responsibility, equality under God, tolerance for others, and the English language. In the coming months, I look forward to working with Congress on comprehensive immigration reform that will enforce our laws, secure our border, and uphold our deepest values." 50 per cent of respondents believe illegal immigrants should be eligible to register for the program in the U.S., while 45 per cent believe all applicants should return to their own countries before joining the system.

The U.S. Congress is currently studying two different proposals to deal with immigration. A bill sponsored by Republican Arizona senator John McCain and Democratic Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy seeks to grant legal status to virtually every undocumented migrant, and would create a guest-worker program.

Conversely, Republican Texas senator John Cornyn and Republican Arizona senator Jon Kyl have proposed a series of border enforcement measures, as well as the mandatory electronic verification of a worker’s eligibility. The plan also contemplates a guest-worker program.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose enacting a guest worker program for illegal immigrants?

Support 72%

Oppose 24%

Do you think illegal immigrants should be eligible to register for the program in the U.S., or return to their own countries to apply?

Register in U.S. 50%

Return to countries 45%

Source: Schulman, Ronca, & Bucuvalas (SRBI) Public Affairs / Time
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,004 American adults, conducted from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.