(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States support a proposal that would allow undocumented workers to start on a path to citizenship after complying with a set of specific requirements, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 63 per cent of respondents are in favour of this solution for 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. 49 per cent of respondents support the creation of a "guest worker" program that would give a temporary visa to non-citizens who want to work legally in the U.S.

Last month, the U.S. Senate discussed a revised immigration bill, which would allow 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 includes 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. 34 per cent support establishing a point system for new immigrants that gives more weight to professional qualifications and command of English than to those having family already in U.S.

On Jun. 7, the U.S. Senate voted 45-50 on a motion to limit debate on the proposed immigration bill. On Jun. 14, Bush urged lawmakers to keep discussing the legislation, adding, "Look, we need to do this without animosity and without amnesty. I know there are some people who I guess believe that we could just kick them out of the country. That's just totally impractical. It won't work. We need a practical solution to a problem that has arisen as a result of a bill that didn't work, the 1986 immigration bill. Amnesty is forgiveness with no penalty for people who have broken our laws to get here. In contrast, this bill requires illegal workers to pay a fine, to register with the government, to undergo background checks, to pay their back taxes, to hold down a steady job, and to learn English in a set period of time."

Polling Data

On Congress recently debating a new immigration bill...

One proposal would allow undocumented immigrants who have been living and working in the United States for a number of years, and who do not have a criminal record, to start on a path to citizenship by registering that they are in the country, paying a fine, getting fingerprinted, and learning English, among other requirements. Do you support or oppose this, or haven't you heard enough about it to say?

One proposal is to create a "guest worker" program that would give a temporary visa to non-citizens who want to work legally in the United States. Do you support or oppose this, or haven't you heard enough about it to say?

One proposal is to establish a points system for new immigrants that gives more weight to professional qualifications and command of English than to those having family already in the United States. Do you support or oppose this, or haven't you heard enough about it to say?

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