trends: immigrants and immigration

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American Association for Public Opinion Research Trends: Immigrants and Immigration Author(s): John S. Lapinski, Pia Peltola, Greg Shaw and Alan Yang Source: The Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 61, No. 2 (Summer, 1997), pp. 356-383 Published by: Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Association for Public Opinion Research Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2749556 . Accessed: 05/12/2014 05:50 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. . American Association for Public Opinion Research and Oxford University Press are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Public Opinion Quarterly. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 128.235.251.161 on Fri, 5 Dec 2014 05:50:26 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

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Page 1: Trends: Immigrants and Immigration

American Association for Public Opinion Research

Trends: Immigrants and ImmigrationAuthor(s): John S. Lapinski, Pia Peltola, Greg Shaw and Alan YangSource: The Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 61, No. 2 (Summer, 1997), pp. 356-383Published by: Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Association for Public OpinionResearchStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2749556 .

Accessed: 05/12/2014 05:50

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

.

American Association for Public Opinion Research and Oxford University Press are collaborating with JSTORto digitize, preserve and extend access to The Public Opinion Quarterly.

http://www.jstor.org

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Page 2: Trends: Immigrants and Immigration

THE POLLS-TRENDS IMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRATION

JOHN S. LAPINSKI PIA PELTOLA GREG SHAW ALAN YANG

The United States has experienced a steady increase in inmmigration since the end of World War II, with dramatic growth after the 1965 passage of the Hart-Celler Amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act, resulting in a change from 380,000 legal inmmigrants per year in the 1960s to 950,000 a year in the 1980s (Beck 1996; Fix and Zimmermann 1994, p. 253). The sharp increase in the number of immigrants during the last decade was accompanied by a distinct increase in negative attitudes to- ward immigration levels (see questions 1-4 below). Several plausible rea- sons exist for this anti-inmmigrant shift, including cutbacks in social spend- ing that have made caring for an expanding population more difficult. California has received more recent inmmigrants than any other state (Con- gressional Quarterly Weekly Report 1995) and has garnered headlines over its struggle to meet the needs of these new arrivals. Because of its special relevance to the inmmigration issue, our discussion includes some trends in Californians' views toward various measures aimed at recent inimigrants, in addition to our treatment of national opinion trends. Re- sponses to questions from California polls appear at the end of the tables reported below.

Although public opinion has been somewhat split on legal immigration, the vast majority of Americans are concerned about illegal immigrants and wish to stop their entry into the United States. Opinion on these ques- tions takes on an added significance when one considers that an increasing number of Americans since the mid-1980s have believed that most people enter the United States illegally (question 10).

JOHN S. LAPINSKI, GREG SHAW, and ALAN YANG are doctoral students in American Poli- tics in the Department of Political Science, Columbia University. PIA PELTOLA is a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Maryland. The authors thank Robert Y. Shapiro and Stanley Presser for helpful advice. This research was supported in part by a Russell Sage Foundation grant to Robert Y. Shapiro and Lawrence Jacobs. The Paul F. Lazarsfeld Center for the Social Sciences at Columbia University also provided support.

Public Opinion Quarterly Volume 61:356-383 ? 1997 by tbe American Association for Public Opinion Researcb All rights reserved. 0033-362X19716102-0006$02.50

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Poll Trends: Immigrants and Immigration 357

Public opinion has not treated all foreigners the same. There are notice- able differences in opinion toward the level of European immigration as contrasted with immigration from Asian and Latin American countries. Available data from the period 1984-95 show that about half of Ameri- cans agreed European immigration was at about the right level, while the majority felt that the number of Asian and Latin American immigrants was too high. The percentage of the public feeling that too many immi- grants from Asian countries were entering the United States increased be- tween 1984 and 1993 but showed a decrease by 1995. Similar results hold for immigration from Latin America. Public opinion regarding African im- migrants has been evenly split between those who think there are "too many" and those who think the number is "about right" (questions 11-14).

Americans hold various nationalities in unequal esteem. In particular, from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s Irish, Polish, Chinese, and Korean immigrants have been consistently viewed most favorably; Vietnamese and Mexican immigrants less so; and Iranians, Haitians, and Cubans least favorably (question 15). Attitudes have been particularly inhospitable to- ward Cuban refugees, with an increasing majority of those holding opin- ions opposing the government's acceptance of more Cuban refugees (questions 16, 17). The general trend in public opinion is a growing nega- tivity toward most nationalities.

As others have observed, Americans seem to distinguish between immi- gration at the national level and inmmigrants at the personal level. More- favorable public attitudes have been associated with individual immi- grants than with groups (Harwood 1983, 1986; Simon 1986, 1987). This duality appears most dramatically in the polls regarding Americans' eval- uations of the personal characteristics of inmmigrants. While the majority of Americans during the 1980s and 1990s were concerned about immi- grants and wanted to keep them out, large and stable majorities also felt immigrants were hard working and honest and would be welcomed into their neighborhoods. It is striking that almost half of all Americans believe immigrants work harder than people born here. Also, the vast majority of those who personally knew a recent inmmigrant rated their experience with that immigrant as favorable (questions 18-24).

Public opinion toward inmmigration seems to be related to the general economic climate (Harwood 1986). As the United States went into reces- sion in the early 1980s, restrictive attitudes toward immigration jumped. The proportion of those Americans who thought immigrants bring needed skill to the United States and start new businesses that bolster the economy declined. Persistent majorities have believed immigrants take away jobs from U.S. workers and drive down wages. However, stable majorities have also believed that inmmigrants mostly take jobs that Americans do not want (questions 25-33).

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358 J. S. Lapinski, P. Peltola, G. Shaw, and A. Yang

The dramatic increase in popular dissatisfaction with U.S. immigration policies may reflect the negative reaction to federal mandates at the state level, where local governments are struggling to integrate an increased number of immigrants and to provide them with public services. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, stable majorities or pluralities believed that immigrants tend to end up on welfare and use a disproportionately high share of government services (questions 36-40). Californians have shown majority support for withholding public assistance to illegal immi- grants (question 75), along with other measures to limit their entry, such as the use of National Guard troops along the Mexican border (question 78). Californians have been sharply divided on the question of denying American citizenship to United States-born children of illegal immigrants (question 79).

Americans have shown strong economic concerns over immigration, but cultural issues also loom large. The proportion of Americans who think immigrants coming to live in the United States should "give up their foreign ways" and learn to be like other Americans has apparently declined since the 1960s to about half of the population in the early 1980s. During this time the proportion who believe America owes a great deal to the immigrants who came here has also declined. When asked, majori- ties have reported that they believe most immigrants cause problems for the country, including crime. On the other hand, about half have stated the belief that immigrants enrich the United States with their cultures and talents (questions 41-46).

At the heart of the policy debate over immigrants' impact on American culture is the issue of language. Polls in 1993 and 1995 show that a stable majority believed public schools should teach immigrant children in the English language or in the immigrant's native language only until they learned English. Nonetheless, about half of Americans in both 1985 and 1993 felt that children of immigrants should be taught some subjects in their native language so they could better understand what they are learn- ing (questions 47-49). Between 1985 and 1993, an increasing proportion also disagreed with the idea of posting public signs in immigrants' native language in immigrant-dense areas (question 50).

These cultural issues, combined with the economic concerns described above, appear to have depressed Americans' approval of the way the fed- eral government addresses immigration. Between 1990 and 1992, there was a sharp change in public opinion over the need to revise current immi- gration policies, with 80 percent approval for such changes by 1992. In addition, more than half also disapproved of the way President Clinton has handled the immigration issue in 1993 through 1994 (questions 52, 53).

Perhaps frustrated by the law's inability to curtail the hiring of illegal immigrants, majorities support the idea of requiring both American citi-

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Poll Trends: Immigrants and Immigration 359

zens and legal immigrants to carry a national identification card to distin- guish themselves from illegal immigrants, who, according to a large ma- jority, should not be allowed to work (questions 55-60). However, approval drops for identification cards when the invasion of privacy ques- tion is raised (question 56). Large but slightly declining majorities of Americans tend to support a range of measures aimed at curtailing illegal inimigration, including increased border patrol and the construction of ditches and fences to prevent illegal crossings from Mexico (questions 63-66). A large but declining majority of Americans support testing im- migrants for the HIV virus (question 68). The slight decline in support for restrictions may be attributable to the growing knowledge of how HIV is transmitted, because persons more educated about AIDS tend to be less supportive of such restrictions (Price and Hsu 1989; Singer et al. 1991).

The survey data for this report were assembled from searches of survey archives and published and unpublished sources, including the Roper Cen- ter for Public Opinion Research's on-line Public Opinion Location Li- brary (POLL); the Harris survey and other data holdings of the Institute for Research in Social Science (IRSS, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill); and the California Field Institute, archived at the University of California, Berkeley. Further information about these data and other related material can be obtained from the Roper Center, IRSS, the Field Institute, and the particular survey organizations and references listed below.

Appendix

Sources and Abbreviations

ABC: American Broadcasting Company ABC/WP: American Broadcasting CompanylWashington Post CBS: Columbia Broadcasting System CBS/NYT: Columbia Broadcasting System/New York Times FIELDINST: Field Institute GALLUP: Gallup Organization GALLUP/USA TODAY: Gallup Organization/USA Today HARRIS: Louis Harris and Associates LAT: Los Angeles Times MK: Martilla and Kiley NORC: National Opinion Research Center' PSRA: Princeton Survey Research Associates ROPER: Roper Organization TIME/CNN/YP: Time/Cable News Network, surveys by Yankelovich Partners

1. The 10/64 survey data were gathered under the direction of the Survey Research Center, University of California, Berkeley.

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360 J. S. Lapinski, P. Peltola, G. Shaw, and A. Yang

TIME/YP: Time, surveys by Yankelovich Partners TIME/YSW: Time, surveys by Yankelovich, Skelly, and White YP: Yankelovich Partners YSW: Yankelovich, Skelly, and White

References

Beck, Roy. 1996. The Case against Immigration. New York: Norton. Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. 1995. "Immigration: Bridging the Gap

between Ideas and Action." Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report 53, no. 15 (April 15): 1065-70.

Fix, Michael, and Wendy Zimmermann. 1994. "After Arrival: An Overview of Federal Immigrant Policy in the United States." In Immigration and Ethnicity: The Integration of America's Newest Arrivals, ed. Barry Edmonston and Jeffrey S. Passel. Washington, DC: Urban Institute Press.

Harwood, Edwin. 1983. "Alienation: American Attitudes toward Immigration." Public Opinion 6:49-51.

. 1986. "American Public Opinion and US Immigration Policy." Annals of the American Academy 487:201-12.

Price, Vincent, and Mei-Ling Hsu. 1989. "Factors Underlying Public Opinion on AIDS-Related Issues: Predictors of Knowledge and Policy Preferences." Paper presented at the annual conference of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research, Chicago.

Simon, Rita. 1986. Public Opinion and the Immigrant: Print Media Coverage, 1880- 1980. Lexington, KY: DC Heath, Lexington Books.

. 1987. "Immigration and American Attitudes." Public Opinion 10:47-50. Singer, Eleanor, Theresa Rogers, and Marc Glassman. 1991. "Changes in Public

Opinions about AIDS." Public Opinion Quarterly 55:161-79.

Welcoming Immigrants: "Yes" to Some, "No" to Others

GENERAL ATTITUDES TOWARD IMMIGRATION

1. GALLUP, CBS/NYT: Should immigration be kept at its present level, increased, or decreased?

GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP CBS/NYT CBS/NYT 9/64a 6/65 3/77 6/86 6193b

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Present 46 39 37 35 27 Increased 6 7 7 7 7 Decreased 38 33 42 49 61 Don't knowc 10 20 14 9 5 N 1,611 2,534 1,550 1,618 1,363

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Poll Trends: Immigrants and Immigration 361

GALLUP CBS/NYT GALLUP GALLUP 7193d 9194b 6/95e 7/95e (%) (%) (%) (%)

Present 27 27 24 28 Increased 6 6 7 8 Decreased 65 63 66 62 Don't knowc 2 4 4 4 N 1,002 1,161 1,005 801

a Do you think the number of immigrants allowed to enter the U.S. each year should be increased somewhat, decreased somewhat, or kept at about the present level?

... immigration into the United States be kept.... 'Also reported as No opinion, Don't know/no answer, Don't know/refused. dNow I would like to ask you some questions about immigrants-people who come

from other countries to live here in the United States. In your view ... should immigra- tion....

'In your view, should immigration... ?

2. CBS/NYT, CBS: Do you think that, in general, the United States should wel- come immigrants who come here with very little to try to make a success of their lives, or are conditions here today too hard for this to be practical?

CBS/NYT CBS/NYT CBS 6/86 6/93 1/94 (%) (%) (%)

Should welcome 43 32 27 Not practical 45 60 65 No opinion 12 8 8 N 1,618 1,363 1,210

3. YSW, YP: Some people feel that America should keep its door open to people who wish to immigrate to the United States because that is what our heritage ig all about. Others feel that this philosophy is no longer reasonable and we should strictly limit the number of people who immigrate. Which of these positions is closer to your opinion?

YSW yp 5/85 9/93 (%) (%)

Keep doors open 27 24 Strictly limit immigration 67 73 Don't knowb 5 4 N 1,014 1,108

a I'd like to talk to you now about immigrants, that is, people who move to the United States either legally or illegally. Some people....

bOr "Not sure."

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362 J. S. Lapinski, P. Peltola, G. Shaw, and A. Yang

4. ROPER: Is your impression that the current immigration laws allow too many immigrants, too few immigrants, or about the right number of immigrants into this country each year?

5/90 4/92 (%) (%)

Too many immigrants 48 54 Two few immigrants 9 9 About the right number 29 21 We shouldn't allow any

(volunteered response) 1 Don't know 14 15 N 1,144 1,100

Attitudes toward Legal Immigrants

5. TIMEIYP, TIME/CNN/YP: For the next few questions, I'd like you to concen- trate on those immigrants who are in this country legally-in other words, immi- grants who have permission from the government to live in the United States and have followed all immigration laws. Does the presence of legal aliens in this country concern you a great deal, somewhat, or not at all?

TIMEIYP TIME/CNN/YP 9/93 9/94 (%) (%)

Great deal 15 19 Somewhat 49 44 Not at all 35 36 Not sure 1 1 N 1,108 800

6. TIME/YP, TIME/CNN/YP: For the next few questions, I'd like you to con- centrate on those immigrants who are in this country legally-in other words, immigrants who have the permission from the government to live in the United States and have followed all immigration laws.... Would you favor or oppose changes in federal law to reduce the number of immigrants who enter the country legally?

TIME/YP TIME/CNN/YP 9/93 9/94 (%) (%)

Favor 60 62 Oppose 35 33 Not sure 5 5 N 1,108 800

7. ROPER: At its present rate of growth the population of the United States will double in about 45 years-to over 400 million people. Some people are concerned about this and others are not. Here are some different points of view as to what, if anything, should be done with respect to population growth. Would you go down the list and for each item on the list tell me whether you agree with it or disagree with it? Reduce the quotas of the number of legal immigrants who can enter the U.S. each year.

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Poll Trends: Immigrants and Immigration 363

6/77 6/85a (%) (%)

Agree 75 77 Disagree 19 17 Don't know 6 6 N 2,001 2,000

a... will double in about 50 years -to about 475 million people. Some people....

Attitudes toward Illegal Immigrants

8. TIME/YSW, TIMEIYP: I'd like you to concentrate on those immigrants who are in this country illegally-in other words, immigrants who do not have the permission of the government to live in the United States and can be deported if they are caught. Does the presence of illegal aliens in this country concern you a great deal, somewhat, or not at all?

TIME/YSW TIMEIYP 5/85a 9/93 (%) (%)

Great deal 43 48 Somewhat 45 40 Not at all 13 12 Not sure 1 N 1,014 1,108

a Registered voters.

9. ROPER: At the present rate of growth the population of the United States will double in about 40 years-to over 400 million people. Some people are concerned about this and others are not. Here are some different points of view as to what, if anything, should be done with respect to population growth. Would you go down the list and for each item on the list tell me whether you agree with it or disagree with it? Make an all out effort to stop illegal entry into the United States of 11/2 million foreigners who don't have entry visas.

6/80 6/85a (%) (%)

Agree 91 89 Disagree 5 8 Don't know 4 3 N 2,006 2,000

a... double in about 50 years-to about 475 million people ... into the United States of many foreigners who don't....

10. CBS/NYT: Do you think most of the people who have moved to the United States in the last few years are here legally, or are most of them here illegally?

6/86 6/93 (%) (%)

Legal 32 17 Illegal 49 68 Half and half

(volunteered response) 6 5 No opinion 13 9 N 1,618 1,363

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364 J. S. Lapinski, P. Peltola, G. Shaw, and A. Yang

Opinions toward Particular Nationalities

11. GALLUP, PSRA: Thinking about immigration into this country from various parts of the world, do you think the number of immigrants now entering the U.S. from each of the following areas is too many, too few, or about the right amount? ... European countries.

GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP PSRA 5/84a 6/84 8/9ob 2/92 7/93C 2195d

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Too many 26 27 31 36 33 31 Too few 11 11 10 7 10 5 About right 50 50 47 52 52 45 Don't know 13 13 12 5 5 19 N 751 751 767 1,002 1,002 758

a Do you think ... too few, or about right ... ? bAre the numbers of immigrants now ... the right amount? ... Europe. c Do you think ... immigrants (people who come from other countries to live here)

now entering . .. right amount. How about immigrants from . .. European countries. dThe survey included a black oversample. Results are weighted to be representative

of the national adult population.

12. GALLUP, PSRA: Do you think the number of immigrants now entering the U.S. from each of the following areas is too many, too few or about right? ... Asian countries.

GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP PSRA 5/84 6/84a 8/9ob 2/92a 7/93c 2/95d

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Too many 49 48 49 58 62 44 Too few 6 6 7 4 4 3 About right 33 33 31 32 29 38 Don'tknowe 12 12 13 6 5 15 N 751 751 767 1,002 1,002 758

a Thinking about immigration into this country from various parts of the world, do you think . .. too few or about the right amount?

bAre the numbers of immigrants ... too few or about the right amount? ... Asia. c Immigrants (people who come from other countries to live here) now ... too few

or about the right amount? How about immigrants from. .. Asian countries? dThe survey included a black oversample. Results are weighted to be representative

of the national adult population. 'Or "No opinion."

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Poll Trends: Immigrants and Immigration 365

13. GALLUP, PSRA: Thinking about immigration into this country from various parts of the world, do you think the number of immigrants now entering the U.S. from each of the following areas is too many, too few or about the right amount? ... Latin American countries.

GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP PSRA 5/84a 6/84 8/9Ob 2/92 7/93C 2195d

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Too many 53 54 54 69 62 56 Too few 5 5 7 5 5 3 About right 30 30 28 22 29 27 Don't know 12 12 11 4 4 14 N 751 751 767 1,002 1,002 758

a Do you think ... too few or about right? ... Latin America. bAre the numbers of immigrants now . . . the right amount? ... Latin America. c Do you think ... immigrants (people who come from other countries to live here)

now entering . .. right amount. How about immigrants from Latin America? dThe survey included a black oversample. Results are weighted to be representative

of the national adult population. eOr "No opinion."

14. GALLUP, PSRA: Thinking about immigration into this country from different parts of the world, do you think the number of immigrants now entering the U.S. from each of the following areas is too many, too few, or about the right amount? ... African countries.

GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP PSRA 5/84a 8/9Ob 2/92 7/93C 2195d (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Too many 31 36 47 44 33 Too few 12 13 10 9 8 About right 37 35 36 40 42 Don't knowe 20 16 7 7 17 N 751 767 1,002 1,002 758

a Do you think ... too few or about right? ... bAre the numbers of immigrants now ... right amount? ... Africa. c Do you think ... immigrants (people who come from other countries to live here)

now entering . .. right amount. How about immigrants from . .. African countries? dThe survey included a black oversample. Results are weighted to be representative

of the national adult population. eOr "No opinion."

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366 J., S. Lapinski, P. Peltola, G. Shaw, and A. Yang

15. YSW(5/85), GALLUP (7/93): I'm going to read you a list of people of various nationalities, races, and religions who have immigrated to the United States. As I read each one, please tell me whether you believe their presence has generally benefited the country or generally created problems for the country.

More More Don't Benefits Problems Both Know

(%) (%) (%) (%) N Chinese:

(5/85) 69 13 ... 18 1,014 (7/93) 59 31 2 8 1,002

Cubans: (5/85) 29 55 ... 17 1,014 (7/93) 24 64 3 9 1,002

Haitians: (5/85) 31 35 ... 34 1,014 (7/93) 19 65 2 14 1,002

Iranians: (5/85) 32 40 ... 28 1,014 (7/93) 20 68 2 10 1,002

Ihish: (5/85) 78 5 ... 17 1,014 (7/93) 75 11 3 11 1,002

Koreans: (5/85) 52 23 ... 25 1,014 (7/93) 53 33 3 11 1,002

Mexicans: (5/85) 44 37 ... 20 1,014 (7/93) 29 59 5 7 1,002

Poles: (5/85) 72 7 ... 21 1,014 (7/93) 65 15 2 18 1,002

Vietnamese: (5/85) 47 30 ... 23 1,014 (7/93) 41 46 3 10 1,002

16. CBS/NYT: Many refugees from Cuba have come to the United States recently. Do you approve or disapprove of allowing most of these Cuban refugees to settle in the United States?

6/80 9/94a (%) (%)

Approve 25 15 Disapprove 71 80 No opinionb 4 5 N 1,517 1,161

a... from Cuba have tried to come to.... 'Or "Don't know/No answer."

17. CBS/NYT: If some of these (recent Cubans) refugees settled near where you live, do you think they would be welcomed, or not really welcomed?

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Poll Trends: Immigrants and Immigration 367

6/80 9/94 (%) (%)

Welcomed 42 36 Not welcomed 48 55 No opinion 10 9 N 1,517 1,161

Evaluations of Personal Characteristics of Immigrants

18. CBS/NYT: If some of today's new immigrants moved into your neighborhood, would they be welcomed or not really welcomed?

6/86 6/93 (%) (%)

Welcomed 68 67 Not welcomed 18 23 Depends on origin

(volunteered response) 8 5 No opinion 6 6 N 1,618 1,363

19. TIME/YSW, TIMEIYP, YP: I'm going to read you some statements that are sometimes made about people who have immigrated from other countries in the last ten years. As I read each, please tell me, in general, whether you think that statement applies to immigrants moving here in the past ten years or does not apply.... Are basically good, honest people.

TIME/YSW TIME/YPa ypa

5/85 9/93 9/94 (%) (%) (%)

Applies 58 58 55 Does not apply 16 24 21 Mixed/applies to some

(volunteered response) 19 12 16 Not sure

(volunteered response) 6 7 8 N 1,014 1,108 800

a... immigrants moving here in the last 10 to 15 years....

20. YP: I'm going to read you some statements that are sometimes made about people who have immigrated from other countries in the last 10 to 15 years. As I read each, please tell me, in general, whether you think that statement applies to immigrants moving here in the past 10 to 15 years or does not apply.... Are hard working.

9/93 9/94 (%) (%)

Applies 67 58 Does not apply 18 18 Applies to some but not

to others (volunteered response) 12 18 Not sure 4 6 N 1,108 800

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368 J. S. Lapinski, P. Peltola, G. Shaw, and A. Yang

21. HARRIS: I'd like to read you a series of statements about immigration in this country. For each statement, please tell me if you agree or disagree.... Many new immigrants are very hard working.

6/92 12/94 (%) (%)

Agree 83 80 Disagree 14 17 Not sure 3 3 N 1,418 1,250

22. CBS/NYT: Generally, do today's immigrants work harder than people born here, not as hard, or isn't there much difference?

6/86 6/93 (%) (%)

Harder 45 45 Not as hard 8 9 Not much difference 33 37 Depends

(volunteered response) 5 9 N 1,618 1,363

23. TIME/YSW, TIME/YP, TIME/CNN/YP: I'm going to read you some state- ments that are sometimes made about people who have immigrated from other countries in the last 10 years. As I read each, please tell me, in general, whether you think that statement applies to immigrants moving here in the past 10 years or does not apply.... Are productive citizens once they get their feet on the ground.

TIME/YSW TIME/YPa TIME/CNN/YPa 5/85 9/93 9/94 (%) (%) (%)

Applies 67 65 63 Does not apply 10 21 18 Mixed/applies to some

(volunteered response) 18 10 13 Not sure

(volunteered response) 6 4 6 N 1,014 1,108 800

a. . . immigrants moving here in the past 10 to 15 years or does not apply.

24. YSW, YP: In general, would you say your experience was favorable or unfa- vorable with that person (who came to the U.S. in the last few years as an immi- grant)?

YSWa ypb

5/85 9/93 (%) (%)

Favorable 85 81 Unfavorable 12 16 Not sure 3 3 N 1,014 1,108

a Asked of those registered voters who personally know someone who has come to the U.S. in the last few years as an immigrant (47% of sample).

b Asked of those registered voters who personally know someone who has come to the U.S. in the last few years as an immigrant (49% of sample).

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Poll Trends: Immigrants and Immigration 369

Explaining Americans' Reluctance to Admit More Immigrants

PERCEIVED IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON THE LABOR

MARKET AND ECONOMY

25. HARRIS: I'd like to read you a series of statements about immigration in this country (the United States). For each statement, please tell me if you agree or disagree.... A lot of immigrants bring needed skills to this country.

6/92a 12/94b

(%) (%) Agree 49 41 Disagree 48 57 Not sure 3 2 N 1,418 1,250

a The sample includes 246 blacks who are weighted to their normal proportion in the national results.

'Do you agree or disagree ... ?

26. HARRIS: I'd like to read you a series of statements about immigration in this country (the United States). For each statement, please tell me if you agree or disagree. . . . A lot of immigrants start new businesses which helps the U.S. economy to grow.

6/92a 12/94" (%) (%)

Agree 57 44 Disagree 39 51 Not sure 4 4 N 1,418 1,250

a The sample includes 246 blacks who are weighted to their normal proportion in the national results.

'Do you agree or disagree ... ?

27. HARRIS: I'd like to read you a series of statements about immigration in this country (the United States). For each statement, please tell me if you agree or disaree.... New immigrants joining the labor force drive down wages.

6/92a 12194b

(%) (%) Agree 65 66 Disagree 32 31 Not sure 3 3 N 1,418 1,250

a The sample includes 246 blacks who are weighted to their normal proportion in the national results.

'Do you agree or disagree ... ?

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28. GALLUP, PSRA: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? ... Immigrants take jobs from U.S. workers.

GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP PSRA 5/84 6/84a 2/92a 7193b

(%) (%) (%) (%) Agree 61 62 62 62 Disagree 36 36 36 34 Don't know

(refused)c 3 3 2 4 N 751 751 1,002 725

a Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immigrants and immigration...

bDo you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immigrants? c Refused was included with don't know response category for 2/92 question.

29. HARRIS: I'd like to read you a series of statements about immigration in this country (United States). For each statement, please tell me if you agree or dis- agree.... New immigrants take jobs away from American workers.

6/92a 12/94b (%) (%)

Agree 62 64 Disagree 37 35 Not sure 1 1 N 1,418 1,250

a The sample includes 246 blacks who are weighted to their normal proportion in the national results.

bDo you agree or disagree ... ?

30. YSW. I'm going to read you some statements that are sometimes made about people who have immigrated from other countries in the last ten years. As I read each, please tell me, in general, whether you think that statement applies to immigrants moving here in the past ten years or does not apply.... Take jobs away from Americans.

5/85 9/93a 9/94a (%) (%) (%)

Applies 61 64 58 Does not apply 29 30 32 Mixed/applies to some

(volunteered response) 8 5 6 Not sure

(volunteered response 2 1 4 N 1,014 1,108 800

a... last ten to fifteen years....

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31. LAT: Do you think illegal aliens take jobs that nobody wants, or do you think they take jobs away from Americans who need them?

10/80 3/81 (%) (%)

Take jobs no one wants 39 48 Take jobs Americans need 52 40 Not sure 8 12 Refused 1 N 2,853 1,681

32. CBS/NYT, CBS: Do you think the immigrants coming to this country today mostly take jobs away from American citizens, or do they mostly take jobs Ameri- cans don't want?

CBS/NYTa CBS/NYT CBS 6/86 6/93 1/94 (%) (%) (%)

Take jobs away 34 36 31 Take unwanted jobs 52 55 52 Both (volunteered response) 9 . . . 10 No opinion 5 9 7 N 1,618 1,363 1,210

a If both, ask: Well, which do most of them do?

33. GALLUP, PSRA: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? ... Many immigrants work hard-often taking jobs that Americans don't want.

GALLUP GALLUPa GALLUPa PSRAb (5/84 6/84 2/92 7/93 (%) (%) (%) (%)

Agree 80 80 84 78 Disagree 17 17 15 18 Don't know 3 3 1 4 N 751 751 1,002 725

a Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immigrants and immigration....

b Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immigrants?

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34. PSRA: Thinking about job opportunities for Americans as a whole, please tell me if you feel the following proposals would help or hurt the job situation for Americans. Would ... restricting the number of immigrants coming into the country each year ... help the job situation a lot, help it a little, hurt it a little, or hurt the job situation a lot?

5/92 3/94a (%) (%)

Help a lot 45 52 Help a little 29 23 Hurt a little 8 9 Hurt a lot 8 10 No effect

(volunteered response) 5 3 Don't know 5 3 N 1,200 2,001

a Thinking about job opportunities in the country as a whole, please tell me how you think each of the following measures would affect the overall job situation.

35. PSRA: Now I'd like to read you some items that relate to international issues. ... Many reasons have been given for the loss of jobs in this country over the past 10 years. What about too many immigrants-how important a reason is this for the loss of jobs in this country? Again, use the 0 to 5 scale, where 0 is of no importance and 5 is of the greatest importance.

5/92 6/93a (%) (%)

0-No importance 11 6 1 9 7 2 14 12 3 17 17 4 14 15 5-Greatest importance 32 42 Don't know 3 1 N 1,000 1,000

a And finally, I'd like you to think about reasons for job loss that relate to conditions in society as a whole....

36. YSW: I'm going to read you some statements that are sometimes made about people who have immigrated from other countries in the last ten years. As I read each, please tell me, in general, whether you think that statement applies to immigrants moving here in the past ten years or does not apply.... End up on welfare.

5/85 9/93a (%) (%)

Applies 59 54 Does not apply 21 30 Mixed/applies to some

(volunteered response) 15 10 Not sure

(volunteered response) 5 5 N 1,014 1,108

a last ten to fifteen years....

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37. GALLUP, PSRA: Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immigrants and immigration.... Many immi- grants wind up on welfare and raise taxes for Americans.

GALLUP GALLUP GALLUP PSRA 5/84 6/84a 2/92 7/93b (%) (%) (%) (%)

Agree 59 59 64 59 Disagree 33 34 32 33 Don't know 8 8 4 8 N 751 751 1,002 725

a Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? ... 'Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immi-

grants . . ?

38. CBS/NYT: Do you think most new immigrants end up on welfare, or not? 6/86 6/93 (%) (%)

Yes 47 46 No 36 38 No opinion/don't

know/no answer 17 16 N 1,618 1,363

39. HARRIS: I'd like to read you a series of statements about immigration in this country (the United States). For each statement, please tell me if you agree or disagree.... Immigrants use more than their fair share of government services, such as welfare, medical care, and food stamps.

6/92a 12/94b

(%) (%) Agree 62 74 Disagree 32 23 Not sure 5 3 N 1,418 1,250

a The sample includes a black oversample of 246. Results are weighted to be repre- sentative of the national adult population.

'Do you agree or disagree ... ?

40. LAT: Generally speaking, do you think that refugee immigrants to the United States take more from the U.S. economy through social services and unemploy- ment than they contribute to the U.S. economy through taxes and productivity- or haven't you heard enough about that yet to say?

4/85 12/89 12/90 (%) (%) (%)

Haven't heard enough 16 19 20 Take more 46 51 46 Contribute more 19 17 21 Both

(volunteered response) 9 7 6 Not sure 10 5 6 Refused ... 1 1 N 2,446 2,095 2,205

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Perceived Impact of Immigration on U.S. Culture and Language

41. NORC, YSW: I'm going to read a list of statements to you and I would like to know whether you agree or disagree with each one.... Foreigners who come to live in America should give up their foreign ways and learn to be like other Americans.

NORC YSW 10/64 3/81 a

(%) (%) Agree 67 50 Disagree 31 42 Don't know 3 8 N 1,975 1,215

a Sample consists of 1,072 interviews with general public, plus an oversample (N =

143) of Jews and blacks. Groups are weighted to their proportion in the population.

42. NORC, YSW: I'm going to read a list of statements to you and I would like to know whether you agree or disagree with each one.... America owes a great deal to the immigrants who came here.

NORC YSW 10/64 3/81 a

(%) (%) Agree 71 59 Disagree 24 35 Don't know 6 6 N 1,975 1,215

a Sample consists of 1,072 interviews with general public, plus an oversample (N =

143) of Jews and blacks. To all other cases, groups are weighted to their proportion in the population.

43. CBS/NYT, CBS: Overall, would you say most recent immigrants to the United States contribute to this country or do most of them cause problems?

CBS/NYT CBS/NYT CBS 6/86 6/93 1/94 (%) (%) (%)

Contribute 34 30 29 Cause problems 44 50 53 Both

(volunteered response) 7 7 8 Depends on origin

(volunteered response) 2 2 2 No opinion 13 11 8 N 1,618 1,363 1,210

44. YSW: I'm going to read you some statements that are sometimes made about people who have immigrated from other countries in the last ten to fifteen years.

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As I read each, please tell me, in general, whether you think that statement applies to immigrants moving here in the past ten to fifteen years or does not apply.... Add to the crime problem.

9/93 9/94 (%) (%)

Applies 60 56 Does not apply 29 28 Mixed/applies to some

(volunteered response) 8 13 Not sure

(volunteered response) 4 3 N 1,108 800

45. YSW. I'm going to read you some statements that are sometimes made about people who have immigrated from other countries in the last ten to fifteen years. As I read each, please tell me, in general, whether you think that statement applies to immigrants moving here in the past ten to fifteen years or does not apply.... Make a contribution to our country by enriching our culture.

5/85a 9/93 9/94 (%) (%) (%)

Applies 51 47 48 Does not apply 35 44 40 Mixed/applies to some

(volunteered response) 11 5 7 Not sure

(volunteered response) 4 5 5 N 1,014 1,108 800

a... past ten years....

46. GALLUP, PSRA: Immigrants help improve our country with their different cultures and talents.

GALLUPa GALLUPa PSRAb 8/90 2/92 7/93 (%) (%) (%)

Yes 69 61 60 No 28 37 34 Don't know 3 2 6 N 767 1,002 725

a Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immigrants and immigration....

b Do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about immi- grants ... ?

47. YSW: Which of these three statements comes closest to your views on bilin- gual education: Public schools should teach children of immigrants in their native language as long as it helps the children learn or improves their self-esteem. Public schools should teach children of immigrants in their native language only

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376 J. S. Lapinski, P. Peltola, G. Shaw, and A. Yang

until they know enough English to join regular classes. Or public schools should teach all children in English.

9/93a 9195b

(%) (%) Should teach immigrants in native

language 11 10 Should teach immigrants in native

language only until know enough English 48 39

Should teach all children in English 40 48 Not sure 1 3 N 1,014 1,108

a For the next few questions, I'd like you to think of all immigrants to the United States, whether they arrived in the country legally or illegally....

bThe survey included a national adult sample of 1,000 plus an oversample of Catho- lics. The results are weighted to be representative of the national adult population.

48. YSW: For the next few questions, I'd like you to think of all immigrants to the United States, whether they arrived in the country legally or illegally.... Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of these statements.... The children of immigrants should be taught some subjects in their native lan- guage so that they can better understand what they are learning.

5/85 9/93 (%) (%)

Agree 53 51 Disagree 42 45 Not sure 5 4 N 1,014 1,108

49. YSW: For the next few questions, I'd like you to think of all immigrants to the United States, whether they arrived in the country legally or illegally.... Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of these statements.... It is wrong to teach immigrants anything in their native language because they will have to learn English to get a job.

5/85 9/93 (%) (%)

Agree 50 50 Disagree 44 45 Not sure 7 5 N 1,014 1,108

50. YSW: For the next few questions, I'd like you to think of all immigrants to the United States, whether they arrived in the country legally or illegally.... Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of these statements.... In areas with a large number of immigrants from a particular country, public signs should be printed in their native language.

5/85 9/93 (%) (%)

Agree 40 31 Disagree 55 66 Not sure 5 3 N 1,014 1,108

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Evaluating Immigration Policies

51. GALLUP: How important do you think each of the following factors should be in determining whether or not a person from another country should be admit- ted to live in the United States-very important, or not very important? That he has relatives, who are American citizens, with whom he can live.

6/65 7/93a (%) (%)

Very important 55 56 Not very important 38 42 No opinion 7 2 N 2,534 1,002

a... whether or not people from other countries be admitted ... ? Have relatives who are American citizens?

52. ROPER: Considering everything you know or have heard about United States immigration policies, do you think our policies need revisions, or are they about right as they are?

4/90 4/92a (%) (%)

Need revisions 48 80 About right 30 13 Don't know 22 7 N 1,144 1,100

a Sample includes 1,000 nationwide plus an additional oversample of 100 interviews in California. The national results are weighted.

53. GALLUP/USA TODAY: Thinking about some issues, do you approve or dis- approve of the way (President) Bill Clinton is handling . . . immigration?

11/93 4/94 (%) (%)

Approve 33 28 Disapprove 51 55 No opinion 16 17 N 1,003 1,246

54. GALLUP: It has been proposed the illegal aliens who have been in the U.S. for seven years be allowed to remain in the U.S. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

10/77 11/80 (%) (%)

Favor 39 37 Oppose 52 52 No opinion 9 11 N 1,509 1,556

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55. GALLUP: Do you believe everyone in the United States should be required to carry an identification card such as a Social Security card, or not?

10/77 6/84 (%) (%)

Should 65 63 Should not 30 34 No opinion 5 3 N 1,509 1,522

56. HARRIS: Would you favor the government requiring a national work identifi- cation card for all working Americans, both citizens and noncitizens. Supporters believe this would help to identify illegal aliens. Opponents see this as a danger- ous threat to privacy. Would you favor or oppose such a requirement?

2/90 9/94 (%) (%)

Favor identification card 43 53 Oppose identification card 56 46 Not sure 2 2 N 2,254 1,005

57. GALLUP: Please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose each of the following steps which have been proposed as a way of reducing illegal immigration into the U.S.... Require all U.S. citizens and legal residents to have a national I.D. card to distinguish them from illegal immigrants.

7/93 7/95a

(%) (%) Favor 57 62 Oppose 41 37 No opinion 2 1 N 1,002 801

a I'd like to ask you about illegal immigrants-citizens of other countries who are not legally allowed to live in the United States. Please tell me....

58. ROPER: Do you favor or oppose the federal government issuing a forge- proof, easily verifiable identification document to all U.S. citizens and legal aliens that would have to be shown only when applying for a job?

5/90 4/92 (%) (%)

Favor 62 60 Oppose 32 34 Don't know 6 6 N 1,144 1,100

59. ROPER: At the present time there is no foolproof way of determining if a person is legally or illegally in this country. Illegal aliens can get forged driver's licenses, Social Security cards, etc. It has been proposed that a national identity card be issued to every U.S. citizen at birth or on naturalization, as they do in Europe. You would have to show this card to an employer to get a job, or to a policeman on request, etc. Some people are in favor of a national identity card as a means of cutting down on illegal immigration. Others are opposed to it as

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being a violation of people's privacy and civil rights. How do you feel-would you like to or not?

10/77 8/84a (%) (%)

Yes 51 49 No 33 35 Have mixed feelings 12 13 Don't know 5 3 N 2,004 2,000

a... you feel-would you like to see national identity cards issued to all citizens or not?

60. GALLUP, PSRA: Some people propose that the federal government issue identity cards to all citizens and legal immigrants to distinguish them from those who are in the country illegally. Others oppose this plan on the grounds that it would give the federal government too much knowledge and control over all Americans. Which view comes close to your own?

GALLUP PSRA 6/84 7/93 (%) (%)

Issue I.D. card 42 39 Oppose I.D. card 52 53 Don't know 7 8 N 751 725

61. GALLUP: Do you think it should or should not be against the law to employ a person who has come to the U.S. without proper papers?

3/77 10/77 11/80 6/84 (%) (%) (%) (%)

Yes, should 82 72 76 75 No, should not 14 23 18 20 No opinion 5 5 6 5 N 1,550 1,509 1,556 1,522

62. ROPER: Do you favor or oppose a law that forbids the hiring of illegal aliens? 5/90 4/92 (%) (%)

Favor 71 69 Oppose 23 26 Don't know 6 5 N 1,144 1,100

63. ROPER: I'm going to read you a few ways that have been suggested to in- crease our border security. For each one I'd like you to tell me if you would or would not be in favor of it? ... Increase the border patrol manpower.

5/90 4/92 (%) (%)

Favor 94 81 Do not favor 4 14 Don't know 2 5 N 1,144 1,100

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64. ROPER: I'm going to read you a few ways that have been suggested to in- crease our border security. For each one I'd like you to tell me if you would or would not be in favor of it? . . . Use military personnel to patrol the borders.

5/90 4/92 (%) (%)

Favor 80 65 Do not favor 17 32 Don't know 3 3 N 1,144 1,100

65. ROPER: I'm going to read you a few ways that have been suggested to in- crease our border security. For each one I'd like you to tell me if you would or would not be in favor of it? . . . Dig ditches in high entry areas to discourage crossing the border in a vehicle.

5/90 4/92 (%) (%)

Favor 63 58 Do not favor 33 38 Don't know 3 4 N 1,144 1,100

66. ROPER: I'm going to read you a few ways that have been suggested to in- crease our border security. For each one I'd like you to tell me if you would or would not be in favor of it? ... Construct fences in high entry areas to discourage crossing the border on foot.

5/90 4/92 (%) (%)

Favor 64 62 Do not favor 33 34 Don't know 3 4 N 1,144 1,100

67. GALLUP: Please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose each of the following steps which have been proposed as a way of reducing illegal immigration into the U.S.... Erecting a wall along the border with Mexico.

7/93 7/95a

(%) (%) Favor 27 35 Oppose 71 62 No opinion/don't

know/refused 2 3 N 1,002 801

a I'd like to ask you about illegal immigrants-citizens of other countries who are not legally allowed to live in the United States. Please tell....

68. GALLUP: In your opinion, which of the following groups of people, if any, should be tested for AIDS? . .. Immigrants applying for permanent residence in the U.S.

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6/87 5/91 (%) (%)

Should be 90 81 Should not 9 17 No opinion 1 2 N 1,005 1,014

69. NORC, YSW, MK: It bothers me to see immigrants succeeding more than Americans who were born here.

NORCa YSWa MKb 10/64 3/81 5/92 (%) (%) (%)

Yes-true 18 31 31 No-not true 80 64 67 Don't know 2 6 2 N 1,975 1,072 1,101

a I'm going to read a list of statements to you and I would like to know whether you agree or disagree with each one....

bI am going to read you a series of statements that will help us understand how you feel about a number of things. Please tell me whether you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree, or completely disagree with each statement that I read.... (Completely agree and mostly agree collapsed; mostly disagree and completely disagree collapsed.)

70. GALLUP: How important do you think each of the following factors should be in determining whether or not a person from another country should be admit- ted to live in the United States-very important, or not very important? That he has occupational skills.

6/65 7/93 a (%) (%)

Very important 71 78 Not very important 21 21 No opinion 8 1 N 2,534 1,002

a... whether or not people from other countries should be ... ? Have occupational skills.

California: Evaluating Immigration Policies

71. FIELDINST: Do you feel that illegal or undocumented immigrants should or should not be eligible to send their children to the state's public schools?

California 8/93 4/94 (%) (%)

Should 44 43 Should not 50 52 No opinion 6 6 N 1,045 494

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72. FIELDINST: Should the U.S. continue its current policy of attempting to deport all other foreigners found to have entered illegally, should the U.S. impose harsher penalties on those caught, or should the U.S. consider granting amnesty again in the future?

California 6/87 8/93 4/94 (%) (%) (%)

Continue to deport 48 47 49 Harsher penalties 24 28 25 Consider amnesty again 28 17 16 No opinion . . . 8 10 N 915 1,045 494

73. FIELDINST: It has been proposed that illegal or undocumented immigrants who are convicted of serious crimes in the United States be sent back to their native countries to be imprisoned. Generally speaking, do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

California 8/93 4/94 (%) (%)

Good idea 82 79 Bad idea 12 14 No opinion 3 4 N 1,045 494

74. FIELDINST: One way to tighten up the immigration laws is to require that all persons living in the U.S. be issued special identification cards. Do you think issuing identification cards to all U.S. residents is a good idea or a bad idea?

California 1/82a 4/94 (%) (%)

Bad idea 69 49 Good idea 31 42 No opinion ... 9 N N.A. 516

NOTE.-N.A. = not available. a Registered voters.

75. FIELDINST: Do you feel that illegal or undocumented immigrants should or should not be eligible to receive welfare assistance under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program?

California 8/93 4/94 (%) (%)

Should 18 15 Should not 76 78 No opinion 5 6 N 1,045 494

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76. FIELDINST: Do you feel that illegal or undocumented immigrants should or should not be eligible to receive emergency health care benefits?

California 8/93 4/94 (%) (%)

Should 59 59 Should not 36 35 No opinion 5 6 N 1,045 494

77. FIELDINST: Do you favor or oppose a proposal to charge a border toll of $1 to all individuals, immigrants, tourists, as well as returning citizens who enter the United States, with the revenue raised given to the U.S. Border Patrol to try to reduce illegal immigration into this country?

California 8/93 a 4/94 (%) (%)

Favor 68 71 Oppose 26 25 No opinion 6 4 N 520 494

a Do you favor or oppose U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein's proposal ... ?

78. FIELDINST: Do you favor or oppose a proposal to use National Guard troops to assist U.S. Border Patrol along Mexican border?

California 8/93 4/94 (%) (%)

Favor 66 62 Oppose 30 31 No opinion 4 7 N 525 494

79. FIELDINST: The U.S. Constitution currently grants citizenship to all persons who are born in the United States, including the children of illegal immigrants. Some people have suggested changing this law to deny automatic citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants born in this country. Do you favor or oppose passing a constitutional amendment to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to illegal immigrant parents?

California 8/93 4/94 (%) (%)

Favor 50 51 Oppose 44 39 No opinion 6 10 N 1,045 494

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