April 08, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Apr. 8, 2003 - Most Hispanic Americans are backing the war in Iraq, according to a poll by Bendixen & Associates for the Pew Hispanic Center. 61 per cent of respondents say they support the military campaign, compared to 27 per cent who oppose it. Approval for the conflict jumps to 75 per cent when only Hispanics born in the United States are tallied.

(CPOD) Apr. 8, 2003 - Most Hispanic Americans are backing the war in Iraq, according to a poll by Bendixen & Associates for the Pew Hispanic Center. 61 per cent of respondents say they support the military campaign, compared to 27 per cent who oppose it. Approval for the conflict jumps to 75 per cent when only Hispanics born in the United States are tallied.

The poll shows financial stability and a possible immigration backlash are pressing matters for Hispanics. 45 per cent of respondents say they are worried about economic hardship following the war, and 37 per cent are preoccupied with being the target of harassment in the war on terrorism because of their skin color.

There are 37 million Hispanic Americans in the U.S., and they amount to close to 10 per cent of the American military.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose the campaign to remove Saddam Hussein from power?

	Hispanic	Born in U.S.	Foreign Born
Support	61%	75%	52%
Oppose	27%	19%	33%

Are you concerned over the country experiencing a difficult economic time because of the war with Iraq?

Very concerned	45%
Somewhat concerned	39%
Not concerned at all	15%

Now that the country is in a high state of alert, are you concerned over possible harassment to Hispanics from immigration authorities and police because of the color of their skin?

Very concerned	37%
Somewhat concerned	29%
Not concerned at all	33%

Source: Bendixen & Associates / Pew Hispanic Center
Methodology: Interviews to 500 adult Hispanic Americans, conducted from Apr. 3 to Apr. 6, 2003. Margin of error is 4 per cent.