April 19, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Mexico think one of the proposals aimed at curbing illegal immigration into the United States will be unsuccessful, according to a poll by El Universal. 89 per cent of respondents believe the proposed border fences will be fruitless.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Mexico think one of the proposals aimed at curbing illegal immigration into the United States will be unsuccessful, according to a poll by El Universal. 89 per cent of respondents believe the proposed border fences will be fruitless.

Last month, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million.

In December 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that calls for the construction of a new 1,100 kilometre fence on the U.S.-Mexico border. The proposal also seeks to make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally or to help an undocumented person stay in the country. 76 per cent of Mexican respondents say crossing illegally into the U.S. should not be a crime.

On Apr. 6, several senators announced a compromise package that would place illegal immigrants in three different groups depending on the amount of time they have spent in the U.S. The plan, called the "roots concept" by Republican lawmakers, would favour persons who have lived in the U.S. for more than five years. The proposal was not ratified before a two-week congressional break. 79 per cent of Mexican respondents support the provisions that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a temporary work permit.

Last month, in an interview with the BBC, Mexican president Vicente Fox discussed immigration policies in the United States, and declared, "I daresay that in 10 years, the U.S. will be begging, will be pleading with Mexico to send it workers, and Mexico won't do it because it will have its people employed (in Mexico)." 43 per cent of Mexican respondents believe racism is the main reason for U.S. opposition to illegal immigration.

Polling Data

Views on illegal immigration to the United States

Percentage of Mexicans who say border fences would not stop illegal immigration	89%
Percentage of Mexicans who say that crossing illegally into the United States should not be a crime	76%
Percentage of Mexicans who support provisions of a Senate bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a temporary work permit	79%
Percentage of Mexicans who say racism is the main reason for U.S. opposition to illegal immigration	43%

Source: El Universal
Methodology: Interviews with 1,500 Mexican adults, conducted from Apr. 5 to Apr. 8, 2006. Margin of error is 3.2 per cent.