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Capital Tonight poll sheds some light on immigration
6/9/2006 10:18 PM
By: Staff


Immigration concerns have been front and center this year, according to our exclusive Capital Tonight Poll -- it's an issue that concerns most New Yorkers.

Thirty-nine percent of voters polled believe illegal immigration in New York State is a very serious problem. Twenty-nine percent said it's somewhat serious; 20 percent believe it's not a very serious issue; eight percent don't believe it's at all serious.

"I think people see it as a drain on the economy in terms of the services that people need," Alvardo said. "They also see it as taking jobs away from Americans who would want those jobs."

Dr. Maritza Alvarado heads up the Spanish Action League of Onondaga County. She said most upstate immigrants hold construction, farming and janitorial jobs that Americans don't want because the pay is far less than what they're willing to accept.

"I can assure you that if the wages were higher, Americans would be flocking to those jobs," Alvarado said.

Our poll went on to ask voters about the effects immigrants have on their community. Even though most voters believe illegal immigration is a problem, only 17 percent said the immigrants have a negative impact. Twenty-six percent believe they have a positive effect, 47-percent believe they have "no" real effect.

Dr. Alvarado believes many are unaware of who the immigrants are and what they do.
But she said she's noticing that's changing.

"I think people have had their horizons broadened a little bit and if you ask this question two or three months from now, you may get a different response," Alvarado said.

President Bush supports putting working immigrants on a path toward citizenship. Just this week he said deporting all illegals quote: "aint gonna work." In a speech to the nation last month he called for unity.

"We must honor the great American tradition of the melting pot, which has made us one nation out of many peoples. the success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society, and embrace our common identity as Americans," Bush said

Whether an immigration bill gets passed this year depends on whether lawmakers from the house and senate can compromise. Both have passed bills, but they handle the immigration issue very differently.

The senate plan allows a guest worker program. House members said that amounts to amnesty, which they don't support.