http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.c ... temID=7744

June 22, 2005
Many in U.S. Want English as Citizenship Requirement

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States believe language skills should be an important component of a citizenship application, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 79 per cent of respondents believe people who have moved to the U.S. should be required to learn English before they are allowed to become citizens.

In order to be eligible for naturalization, applicants must be able to read, write and speak basic English. A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) officer is in charge of asking applicants to read or write during an interview. 67 per cent of respondents believe immigrants should adopt America’s culture, language, and heritage.

In January 2004, U.S. president George W. Bush tabled his proposal for a major overhaul of the country’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.

Last month, Arizona Republican senator John McCain and Massachusetts Democratic senator Edward Kennedy introduced legislation that seeks to create a program that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain legal work permits.

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.

Polling Data

Should people who have moved to the United States be required to learn English before they are allowed to become citizens?

Yes


79%

No


14%

When people move to America from other parts of the world, should they adopt America’s culture, language, and heritage or should they try to maintain the culture, language, and heritage of their own country?

Adopt


67%

Maintain


17%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,000 likely American voters, conducted on Jun. 17 and Jun. 18, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.