May 04, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are divided on whether their government should erect a fence along 670 miles of the border between the U.S. and Mexico, according to a poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs released by the Associated Press. 49 per cent of respondents favour the idea, while 48 per cent are opposed.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are divided on whether their government should erect a fence along 670 miles of the border between the U.S. and Mexico, according to a poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs released by the Associated Press. 49 per cent of respondents favour the idea, while 48 per cent are opposed.

In addition, 55 per cent of respondents express little confidence in the proposed fence actually reducing the number of illegal immigrants.

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 2006, 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.

In October 2006, Bush signed the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2007, declaring, "The bill I sign today includes nearly $1.2 billion U.S. in additional funding for strengthening the border, for new infrastructure and technology that will help us do our job. It provides funding for more border fencing, vehicle barriers, and lighting, for cutting-edge technology, including ground base radar, infrared cameras, and advance sensors that will help prevent illegal crossings along our southern border. That’s what the people of this country want."

Last month, homeland security secretary Michael Chertoff discussed his views on the project, saying, "I don’t invest the fence with the iconic significance that some people place on it. To some people, it is a be-all and end-all of controlling the border. To some people, it is a symbol of the Berlin Wall. I think it’s a tool."

Polling Data

Do you favour or oppose building a fence along 670 miles of the border between the United States and Mexico?

Strongly favour	31%
Somewhat favour	18%
Somewhat oppose	19%
Strongly oppose	29%

If a fence were built along the border between the United States and Mexico, how confident are you that such a fence would reduce the number of illegal immigrants?

Very confident	10%
Somewhat confident	34%
Not too confident	26%
Not at all confident	29%

Source: Ipsos-Public Affairs / Associated Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,013 American adults, conducted from Mar. 3 to Mar. 5, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.