Thread: Immigration now a top concern among Latinos, poll shows

Immigration now a top concern among Latinos, poll shows

A nationwide survey of Latinos indicates that the issue now ranks with the economy as the most important. The tough new Arizona law is believed to have triggered the shift.

By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times
July 14, 2010 | 5:05 p.m.

Latinos now view immigration as their leading concern along with the economy in what activists say is a major shift most likely driven by controversy over Arizona's tough law against illegal immigrants.

Nearly a third of Latinos also believe that racism and prejudice are the central issue in the immigration debate, over national security, job competition and costs of public services for illegal immigrants, according to a national survey released Wednesday.

The poll of 504 Latinos, stratified by region, gender, age, foreign-born status and other factors, was conducted by LatinoMetrics from May 26 to June 8 for the Hispanic Federation and the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC.

The poll found that the vast majority of those surveyed strongly opposed the new Arizona law and strongly supported an immigration policy overhaul providing for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and deportation of felons. Republican Latinos showed similar views on these issues as Democrats and independents.

The Arizona law, which is scheduled to take effect July 29, requires police to determine the status of people they lawfully stop who they suspect are in the country illegally and makes it a misdemeanor to lack proper immigration documents. The Justice Department recently joined several other organizations in suing Arizona to block enforcement of the law.

"This new poll demonstrates a tremendous shift in the importance that immigration has become for a wide cross-section of the Latino population of the United States," Brent Wilkes, LULAC's executive director, said in a statement. "Latinos have taken offense to the way immigrants have been demonized by politicians and political interest groups and are prepared to vote accordingly."

Activists believe that frustration over the immigration issue will unify and galvanize Latinos of all political stripes into voting in November. The poll showed that 80% of those surveyed said they planned to vote in the midterm election and that two-thirds would back candidates who supported an immigration overhaul.

Four in 10 Latinos surveyed said they would not forgive a politician or party who did not work hard enough for change in immigration policy. Arnoldo Torres, an independent political consultant in Sacramento and onetime advisor to the League of United Latin American Citizens, said that finding carried warnings for both major parties.

"The more strident the Republican Party is, they should not anticipate Hispanics will be voting for them in national or congressional elections," Torres said. "But the reality is that neither party is working hard enough for immigration reform, so both parties will suffer."

The poll results mirror the findings of another new poll of 1,600 Latinos in four states conducted for the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund in June. The results, which will be released next week, also shows immigration topping the list of Latino concerns, according to Arturo Vargas, the group's executive director.

Vargas said that immigration has usually ranked fourth or fifth on the list of Latino concerns, after the economy, education and healthcare. In a December poll by LatinoMetrics, twice as many Latinos cited the economy as their top concern compared with immigration.

"We've never seen this before," he said about the widespread concern over immigration. "Latinos are feeling less optimistic and more under siege."

Vargas said he was particularly concerned by poll data suggesting that Arizona-type laws could endanger public safety. About 30% said they would be less likely to report minor crimes, and about 20% said they would be less likely to report major crimes in the face of such laws.

The poll also found that 45% of Arizona Latinos surveyed had decreased attendance at community festivals and street fairs. About a third reported they did not attend as many Latino concerts and sporting events and rode less frequently in vehicles with other Latinos.

teresa.watanabe@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 0143.story

Under Siege. LOL

Wow, LULAC, and the LA Times are both fully in bed with the invaders.

W

This article fails to disclose how many Illegal Immigrants they polled.

What other results would you expect, half of these "Latinos" are illegal or related to one!!!

Don't see any startling statistics in this article.

Nearly a third of Latinos also believe that racism and prejudice are the central issue in the immigration debate, over national security, job competition and costs of public services for illegal immigrants, according to a national survey released Wednesday.

Or they could point out that nearly two-thirds don't believe this.

The poll found that the vast majority of those surveyed strongly opposed the new Arizona law and strongly supported an immigration policy overhaul providing for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and deportation of felons.

What was the percentage? What constitutes a 'vast majority?'

Four in 10 Latinos surveyed said they would not forgive a politician or party who did not work hard enough for change in immigration policy.

Or 6 in 10 would forgive a policitican or party.

About 30% said they would be less likely to report minor crimes, and about 20% said they would be less likely to report major crimes in the face of such laws.

Or about 70% would report minor crimes and 80% would report major crimes.

Is this the same LULAC

As a method of increasing assimilation, LULAC emphasized American patriotism. It asserted that Mexican Americans should disavow any allegiance to Mexico, remain permanently in the United States, and commit fully to the democratic ideals of the U.S. (Marquez, Benjamin. LULAC 23). One can see this patriotism in the very structure of the organization. The league’s official song is “America,â€

The article failed to point out that illegal immigration is also at or near the top of concerns of NON-latino voters. Politicians will need to run the numbers to figure out if supporting illegals is a wise decision.

COMMENTS TO THIS Los Angeles article.

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National poll of 504 Latinos?"

WOW! I am impressed!


Tell ya what, I can put together a sample poll of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AMERICANS of Latin descent living in my neighborhood in Orange County who are outraged by the Obama administration's failure & refusal to seal the borders & deport the illegals.

Illegals lower the quality of life for all those who live in Hispanic neighborhoods with the import of illegal drugs, drug cartels & gangs operating in the area, more crime and the overcrowding of hospitals, schools & jails!

"Immigration reform" is just Socialist-Democrat code for AMNESTY.

And all the Socialist-Democrats are interested in is staying in office and maintainling the Majority in the House & Senate. And to do that, they are focusing on ANOTHER group who have been dependent on the government for their livelihood.

Illegals are already benefiting from FREE FOOD, FREE MEDICAL CARE, FREE HOUSING & FREE EDUCATION while working "under the table" and PAYING NO INCOME TAXES! Is this a great country or what!

By the Socialist-Democrats promoting "amnesty" aka "immigration reform" , the illegals will be well on their way to attaining citizenship and the right to VOTE..."D" !

Just what we need... another "needy" group dependent on the government for handouts paid for by you, me & everyone else except those who PAY NO INCOME TAXES.

As Margaret Thatcher used to say, Socialism only works until you run out of other peoples' money...and the USA BANK ACCOUNT IS OVERDRAWN BY TRILLIONS!

TIME'S UP! Illegals need to go home & GET IN LINE.

And take their protests, illegal drugs & problems home with them!

The FREE LUNCH IS OVER!

Posted by: MR. RIGHT | July 14, 2010 at 12:41 PM

This is comical. Since when have Latinos cared about education and/or voting? Latinos have statistically never had a strong showing in the polls. Even the legal immigrants and registered voters dont't show up at the polls. And education?! Lol. Lets get real. If education was such a concern for Latinos, they'd be running this state and this country, for that matter.

Posted by: Kris Kristofferson | July 14, 2010 at 12:47 PM

One must wonder about the political wisdom of the Arizona immigration law.
Latinos tend to be conservative voters. They also represent a big portion of the Arizona vote meaning they could swing a close race tp the Democrats.
It would seem that the GOP should tred lightly.

Posted by: larry jackson | July 14, 2010 at 12:51 PM

"conducted by LatinoMetrics from May 26 to June 8 for the Hispanic Federation and League of United Latin American Citizens. "

Based on who paid for the study, we can conclude that the results were bought and paid for in advance of the data.

Posted by: 1070 24 7 365 | July 14, 2010 at 01:12 PM

How can illegals vote??

Posted by: Elena | July 14, 2010 at 01:12 PM

Who cares . You don't see Asian Canadians or Europeans complaining about the immigration laws that affect them too. Latinos want to come here illegally instead of following the proper process. They don't learn the language, drive uninsured, get pregnant at 15, join gangs then end up in jail or going back to Mexico at our expense. Oh yea and we pay for their illegitimate kids healthcare and education. I wish I was illegal then I wouldn't have to follow rules, speak English or pay bills.

Posted by: obama | July 14, 2010 at 01:13 PM

The Latinos, Hispanics or whatever they call themselves today should realize the most Americans really don't give a crap what they think. Thanks to all their illegal countrymates, the screaming, whining protesters, their racist advocates and the Mexican politicians who kiss their behinds, most Americans have pretty much turned against all Mexicans. Sad for the ones who went through the process legally that they will now be lumped together in disgust with the criminal illegals. The Mexicans will never have the respect they THINK they deserve as long as millions continue to break our laws, think they have a RIGHT to do so and be rewarded for their crimes!

Posted by: America Rocks | July 14, 2010 at 01:38 PM

I live in a corner house in a nice, quiet neighborhood. Four blocks in any direction, however, are major streets with lousy looking apartments.

Consequently, the street on the side of my house gets moderate through traffic.

It must look "safe", because every day - I said every day - at least one car will pull up along side my house. The occupants will usually smoke dope, drink beer or have sex. I've found used condoms, beer bottles, fast food trash and human feces on the curb or in the gutter. I've watched the dope smokers-some actually leave their cars-stretch their legs while smoking. Some smokers come regularly! Some smoke in their work vehicles, complete with company logo! Most times it appears to be a quick high on the commute home. If I have a day off, or on weekends it's more like three times a day. I note the license plate numbers and sometimes email them to the police.

There are 5 or 6 kids under the age of ten playing on my street (limited to the front, where the stoners don't park). There is an elementary school one block away. These stoned people finish getting high and drive off, often past the school.

In the I dunno, ten years I have been watching this, on all but one of these occasions that I've personally witnessed, EVERY ONE of these driving-drunk-or-stoned persons has been latino.

One followed my car, blocked me and threatened me after I looked a little too long at him. He'd been snorting something.

If latinos feel "under siege" all I have to say is welcome to the freaking club!

Posted by: Jagexxx | July 14, 2010 at 01:39 PM

Being a Black man and having grown up during the 1960’s and 1970’s, I lived through times of directed racism, both publicly and legally. Those racist laws applied to adults and children because of their skin color. I don’t see racism written into the law in the illegal immigration issue. I don’t see laws saying “if you are of a specific color, you must do this or thatâ€