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Poll: Illegal Immigrants May Help Economy
By PETER PRENGAMAN, Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
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(03-28) 06:34 PST LOS ANGELES, (AP) --
A majority of immigrants who came to the United States legally think undocumented workers help the economy by providing cheap labor, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Eighty-one percent of those surveyed said illegal immigrants accept low-end jobs that Americans don't want. Some 73 percent said illegal immigrants aided the economy by supplying low-cost labor.
"By an overwhelming percentage, legal immigrants don't have bad feelings toward the undocumented," said Sergio Bendixen, whose firm Bendixen & Associates conducted the poll.
The poll was based on telephone interviews with 800 legal immigrants from Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa between Feb. 24 and March 21. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
The findings come as the U.S. Senate considers immigration reform proposals, including legislation that passed a panel Monday clearing the way for 11 million illegal aliens to seek U.S. citizenship.
The House of Representatives has already passed legislation that would make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally, impose new penalties on employers who hire illegals and erect more fences along the U.S.-Mexican border.
When told about reform proposals in Congress, 68 percent of poll respondents said they supported temporary work permits for illegal immigrants and a way for them to apply for residency after learning English and paying a fine.
That seems to conflict with arguments by some lawmakers opposed to any kind of legalization program. Those politicians say it would be unfair to legal residents who've played by the rules.
The poll findings were in line with the opinions of many legal immigrants who have poured into the streets around the nation to protest against legislation that harshly cracks down on illegal immigrants.
"Nobody comes here to get on welfare," said Perias Pillay, 43, who was 18 when he immigrated legally from Malaysia. "They come here to work, and as long as we need workers we should let them come."
Asked about lawmakers' handling of immigration issues, 32 percent of those surveyed said Congress and President Bush were doing a good job. Democrats received the highest approval with 38 percent. Republicans garnered 22 percent.
The poll was commissioned by New America Media, a nonprofit San Francisco-based umbrella organization for more than 700 ethnic media outlets. Researchers said immigrants in 47 states were interviewed by using random digit dialing in areas of the country with high numbers of immigrant subgroups.
More than 60 percent of immigrants interviewed said they were alarmed by the tone of the immigration reform debate. Sixty-seven percent said they believed anti-immigration sentiment was growing, and 64 percent said it was fueled by racism.
Delia Adene, 48, who immigrated legally from Mexico and joined the Los Angeles rally, said she was worried about the intensifying rhetoric.
"I feel like people see us as criminals now because we want to help our families," Adene said. "We do need more control of the border, but politicians need to talk about this with human justice in mind."
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2006-10-18 18:43:00 · 7 answers · asked by princess_29_71 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
We don't need any more illegal immigrants
2006-10-18 18:45:12 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
that was a good article there, but i totally disagree with it, for one i can take my own poll as a WHITE american and get a ton of different numbers in there so called procent. he says he called over 800 legal immigants, can i see a cll list and call them myself? if not then the poll is a fake and i believe it is anyways.
they say they approve of bush and the democrate well if that was the case how come on the news polls it was all the opposite? you see his name was sergio that should give it all away.
i do agree wit hthe republics laws they want to pass with 100% and i would love for the no worker permit as well, if they want it that bad they can go home and try to get it that way.
if they stop working for cheap under the table money then americans immigant or not could get jobs alot eaiser. just send them home packing and give them a nice fairwell card.
they should not forget to write because one that wall gets buyilt thats the only way they are getting in
2006-10-18 20:14:49 · answer #2 · answered by NoBama For Me 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Who the heck keeps saying that we don't want jobs??? Whatever. We don't want criminals in our country. The illegals are criminals from the start. Why are they illegal?? Bad backgrounds or criminal pasts prevent them from coming here legally. Or they just don't want to wait. Well get real and don't make excuses. Do things right.
2006-10-18 19:43:43 · answer #3 · answered by AveGirl 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
A DAY WITHOUT A MEXICICAN(IMAGRANT)racisiam at it,s finest.why do people want to oppress others ?Hell didn,t (a certain counrty )come to the now AMERICAS and wipe out the original inhabitants? Indians/mexicans? I know Some People Just Don,t WANT to Believe that..DO YA? VIVA LA RAZA AMIGOS
2006-10-18 19:26:03 · answer #4 · answered by reseda1420 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
DEPORT ALL ILLEGALS. I didn't read it because it's you, imposter Panocha. Hey, that has a nice ring to it. You are so obsessed with me and it's sad. I am assuming you STILL haven't found a man or a job yet. You are so pathetic.
2006-10-19 05:23:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Once again Illegal is illegal is illegal.
2006-10-18 18:49:40 · answer #6 · answered by eva b 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
deport all illegals. send em back. we need them like we need a hole in the head.
2006-10-18 18:49:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋