Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Changing attitudes on immigration

A new poll reveals shifting public attitudes about immigration, with an overwhelming majority supporting changes in the law to let undocumented immigrants who've lived here several years become full-fledged citizens ("Americans back chance at status, poll shows," Houston Chronicle, April 11).
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found 63 percent of those surveyed backed letting immigrants who have lived in the country a certain number of years apply for legal status and eventually become permanent citizens.

In contrast, only 14 percent favored a plan to let illegal immigrants stay and work for a limited number of years before having to return to their home countries — an alternative pushed by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.

Another 20 percent said illegal immigrants should be declared felons and offered no temporary work program, a stand that corresponds with the legislation approved by the House.

The poll was taken before rallies over the weekend and Monday that have dominated the week's news. It'll be interesting to see how those events affect public opinion. See MSM coverage of the Immigration Action Day rallies in Texas from:
If you know of any other Texas events, please let me know in the comments.
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous4/12/2006 01:50:00 PM

    Immigration rallies can't overcome border security fear

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous4/12/2006 03:50:00 PM

    Maybe you should check out this poll and blog and adjust your numbers accordingly. http://blog.gophercentral.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15743#p_comments

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gritsforbreakfast4/13/2006 02:14:00 PM

    @SOMEONE: I guess I just don't see the big damage in allowing immigration at levels that meet US labor demand. As I've asked before, what's the big deal?

    The third option is a path to legal residency and/or citizenship that is not "automatic" but not so restrictive that it's impossible for most people to get through. Screen out the crooks and ne'er-do-wells, but let people who came here to work legally continue to do so.

    Do that, and the cultural issues should take care of themselves. To me it seems obvious they'll integrate faster into society when they can get drivers licenses, bank accounts, etc. Until then, I think it's unfair to deny people the tools to participate in civil life and then blame them for not doing so.

    ReplyDelete