American Public: Immigrants Should Stay, Learn English, Become Citizens

By: Lowell
Published On: 5/17/2006 2:50:39 PM

According to a poll released today by Gallup, the American public is overwhemlingly compassionate when it comes to the issue of illegal immigration.  However, they also want the government to take action on this issue.  Key results:

*71% say it's "extremely" or "very" important to develop a plan for dealing with illegal immigrants  already in the United States.
*63% are sympathetic to illegal immigrants; 34% are unsympathetic
*76% say "illegals" should stay in the country, while only 21% say "deport all"
*Only 32% believe that it would be "very" or "somewhat" positive if illegals were deported. The rest think it would be negative (49%) or neutral (16%)
*Only 32% say that children of "illegals" should not be able to attend public school.
*89% say that "illegals" should learn English if they're going to stay here
*74% say "illegals" should have to have been here for 5 years.

In sum, Americans overwhelmingly want action on this issue, but they do NOT want draconian measures like deporting all "illegals" or keeping their kids out of school.  Basically, they just want these people to learn English, become citizens, and assimilate into American society like other waves of immigrants (Irish, Jews, Italisans, Poles, Chinese, Vietnamese, you name it).

On this issue, the right wing of the Republican Party - people like George Allen - are way out of step with the mainstream of the American people. As they usually are.  Big surprise, huh?


Comments



Polls for this... (Too Conservative - 5/17/2006 10:33:09 PM)
A plan could be to kick them out...

these questions don't produce a certain answer.

1 in 3 people dont want them to attend public school...that's what you have to worry about .



Look at the high honor roll lists in today's Post (PM - 5/18/2006 7:26:20 AM)
The Post's published lists today are for the kids in the highest academic groups.  The taupe/brown skinned foreign kids are kicking ass!  Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc.  Looks like a lot of immigrants' children will be leading America at the mid-mark of this century, instead of the progeny of the current generation of right/white wing zealots.