The New York Times published a poll this week that only 30% of Americans would like to see the twelve million illegally present immigrants in the US deported. And 65% would like to see them legalized either on a temporary basis or given a path to eventual citizenship. In fact, while the number wanting to see legalization dropped by one percent since the same question was asked in late 2007, a significantly higher percentage polled preferred a path to citizenship versus temporary status. For all of those saying that the public won't accept legalization during a severe economic downturn, the numbers just don't back that up. The antis just don't seem to get that Americans are instinctively pro-immigration and don't view the subject strictly in economic terms.
Here is the actual polling result:
Which comes closest to your view regarding illegal immigrants who are currently working in the US? 1. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs and eventually apply for US citizenship; or 2. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs only as temporary guestworkers, but NOT allowed to apply for US citizenship; or 3. They should required to leave their jobs and leave the US.
Stay and Stay as Required to leave DK/NA
apply for citzenship guestworkers jobs and US
12/5-9/07 38 28 28 6
4/22-26/09 44 21 30 5
You think they were "kicked out" of their home countries? Then, you should have sympathy with them - that what must have happened to your ancestors, too.
Posted by: Legal and no longer waiting | May 04, 2009 at 01:22 PM
What is this Nurse bill that Nisha is mentioning in all the threads. Allow all the nurses that are kicked out from UK and other countries to migrate to USA.
Posted by: Jack | May 04, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I guess it was not a question on the questionnaire, but most Americans think of "eventually applying" as applying within a year with minimal hussle, not a 10-20 year long very expensive process that many do not complete. It always very enlighting, and often surprising, to learn what responsents actually mean when they give an answer to a survey question (just my conlusion from experience with market research).
Posted by: Legal and no longer waiting | May 04, 2009 at 10:09 AM
The problem is that the anti-immi's voice gets highly visible becoz they are the ones who make the most noise and create the illusion of all americans being against immigration.
i think the media should play a major role trying to come out with surveys like this to neutralize the anti immi poison and help CIR2009 get through this year
Posted by: Kevin Kostner | May 04, 2009 at 12:01 AM
The question asked about eventually applying for citizenship, not instant citizenship.
Posted by: Greg Siskind | May 03, 2009 at 10:34 PM
"Why in the world Americans are thinking that people can apply for citizenship right out of illegal status with no pre-conditions whatsoever?"
- I ask that myself. I had to make several comments here before complete with links to articles and videos that the pre-conditions are actually more than fair.
I even made an argument that I think some will not be able to oblige with all the pre-conditions that they will just go back home by their own. No need for ICE raids.
Posted by: Jim | May 03, 2009 at 09:46 PM
I am aways surprised by the views of Americans on immigration process in general and those polls in particular. Why in the world Americans are thinking that people can apply for citizenship right out of illegal status with no pre-consitions whatsoever? Maybe their ancestors did that (highly doubt), but the time have changed, and I don't think that grounds for excludability are going away any time soon (that's assuming they made everyone eligible AND admissible).
Posted by: Legal and no longer waiting | May 03, 2009 at 06:42 PM
Yes. The problem was not Americans. However, the vocal minority of antis led by CIS and FAIR and they will be at it again.
Posted by: Geroge Chell | May 03, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Thanks, Greg. The poll looks scientific and the results are eye opening.
Posted by: hmm | May 03, 2009 at 01:39 PM
It would be intersting to see if the same media could conduct a survey on Nurse Bill as well.
Posted by: Nisha | May 03, 2009 at 11:32 AM