Does greater exposure to facts increase opposition to illegal immigration in the US?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20071011/pl_usnw/intelligence_squared_u_s__announces_results_of_second_debate

"Intelligence Squared U.S., the Oxford style, three-on-three debate series sponsored by The Rosenkranz Foundation, announced the results of Tuesday night's debate on the motion, "Let's stop welcoming undocumented immigrants." A packed audience at Asia Society and Museum, New York City voted 60% for the motion and 37% against at the conclusion of the debate. 3% were undecided."

This is a debate system where the audiance is polled before and after the debate. Prior to the debate the results had been " 42% for the motion that the U.S. should stop welcoming illegal immigrants, with 34% against and 24% undecided."

Panelists for the debate were Vernon M. Briggs, Jr. of Cornell University, Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies, and Heather Mac Donald of Manhattan Institute speaking for the motion,

and Daniel T. Griswold of Cato University, Enrique Morones of Border Angels and Karen K. Narasaki of the Asian American Justice Center speaking against the motion. John Hockenberry, served as moderator."

What do you think?

xoil, it isn't a study, but it is a balanced debate (look at the debators). Absolutely, the ones on one side could have been inarticulate, or something, and this isn't scientific, but I still think it is interesting. BOTH sides were presented.

Answer 1

I think it does. I could use myself as an example. Illegal immigration doesn't affect me or my state as much as it does the people in the Border states. We usually get the good hard working types while Border states get ALL types. My state has things in order to prevent welfare fraud or even legal benefits to illegals. Other states don't. I didn't realize the discrepancies in state to state problems until I came on here. So yes greater exposure makes people more aware of what's going on outside of their particular domain.

Answer 2

Wow. That certainly is a neat study. Although I'd say the results are bunk. Simply because of the emotional nature of the issue. Since they took the vote directly after the discussion of an emotionally charged issue its not surprising that the results are skewed to one direction. One would need to see how the same people voted one week later to discount the emotional effects of what was said at the debate and determine if exposure to "facts" actually caused a shift in the vote.

I don't have my social psychology textbook nearby but there is a whole chapter dealing with this.

But its a great idea. It just needs better controls for validity. It also would help if it was hosted by an actual University where critique of the study would be possible.

Answer 3

Yes. People get emotional and can't see the whole picture. I seen people on this site slowly turn against illegal immigration. I only notice a couple , but I don't see people changing the other direction. They change their mind not from the forward attacks, but some of the side issues on the debate.

Answer 4

Of course. So many people listen to rhetoric and get their opinions by listening to sound bites. When they are presented with facts, they are certainly often willing to change their mind -- especially if they don't have a vested interest in the institute of illegal immigration. Of course those that DO have that vested interest simply don't care about the facts at all.

Answer 5

think of that 21 million white jap Europeans had helped themselves to the US without criminal permission. enable's say all of them paintings fee effectively because of the fact they do no longer pay taxes. They use tax payer funded centers like faculties, WIC, roads, FD, PD, prisons, and that they deliver what little further funds they do have returned to Slovakia, Croatia or everywhere. so as that they are displacing low experienced American workers, no longer making an investment in the centers they use and exporting additional funds than they placed returned into the economic equipment. additionally think of that somewhat of studying to communicate English they have been stressful that the US learn how to communicate Polish, Czech or Russian. i think of maximum white human beings might have all of the same problems with those imaginary unlawful immigrants as they do those that ensue to be brown. It additionally does not help that they are by using in super misogynist, homophobic and bigoted against non-Latinos.

Answer 6

What increased my own opposition to illegal immigration was exposure to the on-the-ground reality of illegal immigration ruining my neighborhood. "Facts on the ground." People who haven't actually experienced the destructiveness of illegal immigration directly might not be fully aware of the damage inflicted by it.

Answer 7

I would hope so. When the amnesty of 1986 was passed, it was barley a blip on the screen of public opinion, but when they tried to pass another one time only amnesty again in 2006, they were unable to once again do what was best for the illegals at the expense of the American people. We would be paying for it both in your pocket books as well in our way of life. The battle for amnesty is not over because congress as well as our president are terminated to grant it over the wishes and interest of the American people, so we must watch them like hawks, and hold them accountable at the ballot box

Answer 8

Of course it does. Because people are kept so in the dark about how draining these illegals are to our nation. Out of sight, out of mind, ya know? Too many people in this country are borderline retarded when it comes to their daily surroundings. And that needs to stop. People need to start thinking and researching stuff that affects them. Not just assume its not happening because it isnt on the news.

Answer 9

We need a workable immigration policy.

We need people's brain power to give us the cutting edge in technology.
We also need the labor base to do the jobs a lot of people will not do. Picking grapes comes to mind for starters.

Answer 10

It certainly has for me, especially as I start watching what it's doing. Legal Immigrants are more then welcome, but nonlegal ones are not, especially ones who pervert the system to get legal after the fact.