Thread: Illegal Immigration is Key Concern for Americans

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.c ... emID/11157

Illegal Immigration is Key Concern for Americans
March 9, 2006
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(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States are worried about the number of foreigners who enter their country illegally, according to a poll by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. 88 per cent of respondents believe illegal immigration is a very serious or somewhat serious problem.

This month, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million. While California is home to most workers, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina have the greatest rates of increase.

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.

As far as specific measures to deal with the situation, more than half of all respondents oppose making it easier for illegal immigrants to become legal workers, making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens, and allowing illegal immigrants to get drivers’ licenses. 42 per cent of respondents would eliminate the automatic American citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants who are born in the United States, and 84 per cent believe proof of legal residency should be required in order to obtain government benefits.

Polling Data

How serious a problem is illegal immigration into the United States?

Very serious 57%

Somewhat serious 31%

Not too serious 9%

Not a problem at all 2%

Do you support or oppose the following proposals...

• Support Oppose

Requiring proof of legal residency in order to obtain government benefits 84% 14%

Eliminating the automatic American citizenship for illegal immigrants’ children who are born in the United States 42% 50%

Making it easier for illegal immigrants to become legal workers 41% 54%

Making it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens 32% 62%

Allowing illegal immigrants to get drivers’ licenses 25% 72%



Source: Quinnipiac University Polling Institute
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,892 registered American voters, conducted from Feb. 21 to Feb. 28, 2006. Margin of error is 2.3 per cent.

Wonder if Senator Specter has seen this survey?