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  1. #1
    Senior Member CCUSA's Avatar
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    All In U.S. Should Speak English, Say Americans

    Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
    All in U.S. Should Speak English, Say Americans
    June 23, 2007



    (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in the United States believe everybody who calls themselves an American citizen should speak the national language, according to a poll by Hart/Newhouse released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. 89 per cent of respondents support having all immigrants applying for citizenship being required to learn English.

    In May 2006, U.S. president George W. Bush addressed the nation to discuss his immigration proposals. Bush outlined five clear objectives: securing the borders, creating a temporary worker program, holding employers to account for the workers they hire, allowing illegal immigrants "who have roots" in the country to apply for citizenship, and helping newcomers assimilate into American society.

    In May, the U.S. Senate discussed a revised immigration bill, which would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa." After paying fees, a $5,000 U.S. fine and then returning to their home countries, they could apply for permanent residency, which could be granted in eight to 13 years. 35 per cent of respondents support allowing illegal workers who arrived in the U.S. to apply for permanent U.S. residency if they return to their home country within eight years and pay additional fines, and 30 per cent would let illegal workers who arrived in the U.S. before this year to receive an automatic work visa if they pay a fine of around $5,000 U.S.

    The bill also includes a proposal to introduce a points system that would prioritize access to the U.S. for skilled and educated immigrants, as well as new family-reunification guidelines. 74 per cent of respondents would support imposing new fines on businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

    On Jun. 7, the U.S. Senate voted 45-50 on a motion to limit debate on the proposed immigration bill. Members of both the Republican and Democratic parties have suggested shifting the bill’s focus towards national security as a way to save it from its current stalemate. 65 per cent of respondents are in favour of increasing security in the U.S.-Mexico border.

    The U.S. Senate is due to resume talks on the proposed immigration bill next week, and will revise up to 20 amendments that were proposed by members of both parties. Yesterday, Democratic Illinois senator Dick Durbin expressed concern for the fate of the legislation, saying, "If there are amendments offensive to Democratic senators, we won’t produce (enough votes). If there are amendments offensive the other way, you can imagine the result."

    In March 2006, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million.

    Polling Data

    Now I would like to get your reaction to several parts of a possible new immigration bill. Please tell me whether you strongly favour, somewhat favour, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose each of the following parts of this bill.



    Support
    Oppose
    Unsure


    All immigrants who apply to be U.S. citizens would be required to learn English
    89%
    10%
    1%



    Imposing new fines on businesses that hire illegal immigrants
    74%
    23%
    3%



    Increasing border security by building a fence along part of the U.S. border with Mexico and by hiring and training more border patrol agents
    65%
    31%
    4%



    Immigrants who want to come to the U.S. to work and who are not already here could apply for a two-year work visa that they could renew up to two times
    79%
    18%
    3%


    Allowing illegal workers who arrived in the U.S. to apply for permanent U.S. residency if they return to their home country within eight years and pay additional fines
    35%
    55%
    10%



    Allowing illegal workers who arrived in the U.S. before January 1st of this year to receive an automatic work visa if they pay a fine of around five thousand dollars
    30%
    64%
    6%


    Source: Hart/Newhouse / The Wall Street Journal / NBC News
    Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,008 American adults, conducted from Jun. 8 to Jun. 11, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.





    http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.c ... emID=16222
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

  2. #2
    Senior Member zeezil's Avatar
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    If this bill passes, English will become the minority language in the near future. Spanish lessons anyone?

    In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face. For some, shyness might be their El Guapo. For others, a lack of education might be their El Guapo. For us, El Guapo is a big, dangerous man who wants to kill us. But as sure as my name is Lucky Day, the people of Santa Poco can conquer their own personal El Guapo, who also happens to be *the actual* El Guapo! …Lucky Day/The Three Amigos
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

  3. #3
    Senior Member ShockedinCalifornia's Avatar
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    Received this email 6/07 from Sen. Feinstein:

    Dear ____________:

    Thank you for contacting me about establishing English as the official language of the United States. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

    I recognize the importance of having a common language in order to preserve national unity and ensure communication among all citizens. While the United States is a country of immigrants, English has long been the primary language spoken in our country.

    In 2006, I voted for an amendment offered by Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) to the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006" (S. 2611). This amendment declared that English is the common and unifying language of the United States, and required the Federal government to preserve and enhance the role of the English language. The 109th Congress adjourned on December 9, 2006 without passing S. 2611. Please know that I will keep your concerns in mind should the Senate take up legislation in the 110th Congress to establish English as our country's official language.

    Once again, thank you for writing. I hope you will continue to contact me on issues of importance to you. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

    Sincerely yours,

    Dianne Feinstein
    United States Senator

    Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/inde ... nup.Signup.

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