US Views on Immigration

The US public's views on immigration are less negative than they were shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to a new national survey released by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

Forty-one per cent of the public believes legal immigration to the USA should be decreased, compared with 59% in December 2001. The public is divided on whether the large influx of recent immigrants has been good or bad for the country: 30% say good, 39% bad, and 28% say it hasn't made much difference. There is particular concern about illegal immigration: nearly seven out of 10 adults (and almost half of immigrants themselves) say they are very or somewhat concerned about it.

The survey also examines views on how immigration affects the American culture and economy; attitudes towards illegal immigration and government regulations; and how immigrants' views differ from those of non-immigrants. 66% of non-immigrants say the federal government is not tough enough on immigration, as do 26% of immigrants.

1888 adults, including 1104 non-immigrants and 784 immigrants, were interviewed between May 27 and August 2. Complete survey results are available at www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr100604pkg.cfm

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.