On The Job
By Marissa Rodriguez
Americans are divided on immigration and the workforce, a new study suggests. The perception of immigrants’ effect on jobs in America is growing increasingly negative, however, more Americans also believe that Latino immigrants work very hard and are less likely to go on welfare.
A recent report conducted nationally by the Pew Hispanic Center in heavily Hispanic cities, reveals that since 2000, 14 percent more Americans believe that immigrants burden society by taking jobs and housing. Plus, the percentage of Americans who believe immigrants “strengthen the U.S. with their hard work and talents” has dropped.
This is a peculiar result considering these new studies come close on the heels of the previous widely reported one which claimed that the vast majority of the nearly 12 million undocumented immigrants are from Latin America.
As the issue is hotly debated in Congress and in the media, the general public has developed their beliefs about immigrants based less on political viewpoints than on their dealings with Latino immigrant workers and their environment. Those respondents who lived in heavily immigrant communities tended to think more positively about immigrants contributions to the workforce.
The survey was conducted between February 8 to March 7, 2006 and consisted of phone interviews in both English and Spanish conducted nationwide and in Phoenix, Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington D.C. and Raleigh-Durham.
Topline Findings
-
52 PERCENT of Americans polled believe immigrants are a burden because they take housing and jobs.
- Those polled in areas with a larger immigrant community were LESS LIKELY TO BELIEVE they were burdens, whereas respondents living in a community with a lower percentage of immigrants were more likely to claim immigrants were burdens.
- 41 PERCENT of respondents say illegal immigration hurts American jobs.
Where immigrants/non-authorized workers are employed:
-
31 PERCENT work in the service industry
- Approximately 19 PERCENT work in construction-related industries, 15 PERCENT in production, installation and repair, and 4 PERCENT work in farming.
- 24 PERCENT worked in farming occupations.
Illegal immigrants and services:
-
71 PERCENT of Americans illegal immigrants' children should be allowed to attend public school
- However, 67 PERCENT of Americans believe the immigrants themselves should not be allowed to partake in social services.
- JUST UNDER HALF (42 PERCENT) believe children of illegal immigrants should not be granted citizenship.
