August 24, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Germans believe their current administration is not dealing with immigrants in a proper fashion, according to a six-country poll by Harris Interactive published in the Financial Times. 50 per cent of respondents in Germany think their federal government should do more to help integrate immigrant populations.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Germans believe their current administration is not dealing with immigrants in a proper fashion, according to a six-country poll by Harris Interactive published in the Financial Times. 50 per cent of respondents in Germany think their federal government should do more to help integrate immigrant populations.

France is second on the list with 42 per cent, followed by Britain with 39 per cent, Italy with 36 per cent, the United States with 32 per cent, and Spain with 31 per cent.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate discussed and rejected a revised immigration bill, which would have allowed illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa." After paying fees, a $5,000 U.S. fine and then returning to their home countries, they could apply for permanent residency, which could be granted in eight to 13 years. The bill also included a proposal to introduce a points system that would prioritize access to the U.S. for skilled and educated immigrants, as well as new family-reunification guidelines.

In December 2004, the Spanish government approved the regularization law. More than 690,000 foreign residents have filed their paperwork to remain in Spain legally.

Earlier this month, the German government agreed to develop a comprehensive initiative to increase the influx of qualified foreign workers. Achim Dercks, deputy chief executive of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), expressed satisfaction with the plan, saying, "It's a good thing that the government decided to implement not only short-term measures, but also to develop a master plan that's a bit more medium-term oriented."

Polling Data

Should the government of your country do more or less to help integrate immigrant populations or is the government doing enough?

	BRI	FRA	ITA	ESP	GER	USA
Do more	39%	42%	36%	31%	50%	32%
Doing enough	21%	34%	33%	39%	30%	22%
Do less	22%	9%	24%	16%	14%	23%
Not sure	19%	15%	7%	14%	6%	24%

Source: Harris Interactive / Financial Times
Methodology: Online interviews with 6,398 adults in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States, conducted from Aug 1 to Aug. 13, 2007. Margin of error for individual countries is 3 per cent.