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U.S. Wants Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A majority of Americans would support the idea of offering citizenship to illegal immigrants already working on their soil, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 59 per cent of respondents believe the government should allow these persons to remain in the country and become American citizens,
Conversely, 24 per cent of respondents think illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States should be deported, up eight points since June.
In March 2006, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million.
In May, U.S. president George W. Bush addressed the nation to discuss his immigration proposals. Bush outlined five clear objectives: securing the borders, creating a temporary worker program, holding employers to account for the workers they hire, allowing illegal immigrants "who have roots" in the country to apply for citizenship, and helping newcomers assimilate into American society.
Bush is scheduled to meet with Mexican president Felipe Calderón next week. Calderón has said he will not discuss in the meeting how the U.S. should deal with millions of illegal Mexican immigrants, but instead will present a plan to boost the Mexican economy as a way to "cure" massive migration, adding, "We are laying the foundation for a more just, healthy society with better and more equal opportunities for all."
Polling Data
Which comes closest to your view about what government policy should be toward illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States?
Mar. 2007 | Jun. 2006 | |
Deport all | 24% | 16% |
Remain in the U.S. in order to work | 15% | 17% |
Remain in the U.S. and become citizen | 59% | 66% |
No opinion | 2% | 1% |
Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,004 American adults, conducted from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.