As reported by Fox News Latino today, a new survey by the Pew Research Foundation released this past Monday provides a more analytic look at how American view immigration issues in the 21st century. Here are some of the conclusions that the Pew survey, conducted Feb. 2-7 among 1,385 adults, reveals:
- The idea of increased border security combined with a citizenship path to illegal immigrants already residing in the US is an option most Americans would support.
- 57% of Americans oppose changing the Constitution for the sole purpose of denying automatic birthright citizenship of children of illegal immigrants born in the US.
- 61% of Americans support Arizona’s controversial immigration law, which allows law enforcement officials to check the immigration status of individuals. However, according to the survey, 27% of Hispanics are in favor of the law, as compared to 72% of Whites and 42% of Blacks. Support and opposition is also categorized by political affiliation as 54% of Democrats oppose the law while 88% of Republicans support it. 62% of Independents support the law and 34% disapprove of it.
- The survey also called out what self-identified Tea Party members think. 57% of Tea Party members support a change to Constitution to eliminate birthright citizenship with 38% opposing a change.
On the Facebook page of Fox News Latino, fans of the page have already started to comment and share their thoughts about the FNL story and the survey. Here are just a few of the posts that appeared there tonight (Editor’s Note: we did not edit any of these comments):
People who’s birth took place in this nation are citizens and not “undocumented,” as stated by the constitution (addressing the first sentence). The issue with border “security” is that a lot of Conservative don’t see the line between patrolling the border (to return people to their nations of origin) v. building a wall at the border (to keep all others out). If we pass job creating legislation to identify and naturalize already resident immigrants, things should work out much better. More jobs, more money being paid into the government and more tax paying citizens.
I agree with tougher enforcement and a path to Residency before citizenship… And we need to crack hard on the drug stuff too
In other countries if atleast one of your parents is not a citizen of that country then the child is not a citenzen.. The only reason that amendment is in the constitution is because of the discrimination againts people brought here AGAINTS THEIR WILL.. Not otherwise specified. 🙂
Other parts of the survey focused on how Americans view jobs and illegal immigration. Below are all the infographics that Pew shared with their article:
This survey paints a different picture from the more extremist views dominating the conversation, both nationally and in Arizona. Maybe there is hope for America after all.
An excellent post, Julio. I believe most Americans are not swallowing the nativist propaganda. On the other hand, Latinos must do a better job of making the case for comprehensive immigration reform on an economic basis. Among U.S. voters dollars talk — especially in tough economic times.
Our own Partido de Té then? Populist movement to combat the propaganda? I agree, economics is driving this, just like it drove a young man named Hitler in Germany.
It’s good to see that most Americans don’t want to mess with the Constitution. But 61% supporting Arizona’s law is ghastly. I’m curious how many of those individuals feel that it will lead to racial profiling, or if most believe that the fears are overblown.
Excellent point
i’ll be honest here: white people are simply terrified of the latino natality rate. i know i am, and i’m also terrified of any group (including certain segments of white population) that on average have more than 2 children per family.
Move to China then. They only have 1 baby per family.
you really don’t like discussion do you? so far it’s been “you have your opinion, and i have mine, and if you disagree move to ???”. think about the world around us, and the issues that we are faced with.
i will now list the reason why i will not move to china any time soon:
-they don’t like free speech
-they don’t like white people (unless they buy their exports)
-i don’t speak the chinese language (conversely they don’t speak engiish all that well, even if they live in the states)
as far as their 1 baby policy, it show a certain degree of infinite wisdom. can you imagine their population if they were catholic? it would be out of control. 3 billion + at least is what i’m projecting. thank the teapot they put in place some limitations.
i have been writing every arizona representative i can think of to limit all child related benefits to two children per family for the last 10 years or so. i used to waste paper, these days all i waste is an email. i know it’s not going to happen, but such a limitation would benefit the american society greatly.
I do like discussion, and respect your opinions. You would be surprised about China.
Do you live in Arizona?
FYI, your thoughts on birth limits are kooky.
I wonder why the 61% agreement with SB1070. I wonder what perceptions lead to that. I wonder what would ever constitute sufficient “border security.” It seems to me that that will never happen, ever. Until we have gun control over weapons leaving the US for the drug cartels, and sufficient health care and healthy enough lifestyles so people don’t need illegal drugs, I doubt that it is even possible to imagine what adequate border security would look like. I still think that legalizing and regulating recreational drugs would be a big step in the right direction. Quick fix immigration bills haven’t work; in fact they have CAUSED people who would normally go home to choose to stay.
All good ideas