The
Pew Research Center is one of my favorite polling sites and March 30 they released an in-depth survey,
Report on America's Immigration Quandary, on attitudes toward immigration that contains good information for our candidates.
Interestingly while immigration policy seems to have blown up in this Republican Congress's face, Pew says there are only pockets of deep concern. Nationwide only 21% believe immigration is a very big community problem, however, in Phoenix 55% believe it is a big problem, in Las Vegas the number is 36%, and in Raleigh-Durham the number is 26%.
Fortunately, familiarity, instead of breeding contempt has bred acceptance for Latinos. In 1997, only 63% of Americans believed that immigrants from Latin America worked very hard, now 80% believe it. In 97, 55% believed that Latin American immigrants often went on welfare, now only 37% believe that.
Good news for Democratic candidates facing Republicans who favor building a wall or fence between the US and Mexico, only 9% believe we ought to. In addition, only 10% of those in Phoenix think it is a good idea even though 55% think immigration is a very big community problem. Bad news for Republicans, 49% of Americans believe that the best way to reduce the flow of illegal immigrants from Mexico is to penalize employers, the most popular choice by far. More bad news for Republicans, those areas that have the highest concentration of immigrants are the ones that most see immigration as an important problem in their community. How is this bad for Republicans? These same areas are also the ones who see immigrants in the most positive light. This makes it very difficult for Republicans who see immigration as a big campaign issue for them. Republicans in areas with a small population of immigrants may be able to convince people that immigration is a bad thing but will have a tough time convincing those same people that it is what they want their representative to concentrate on. On the other hand, Republicans in areas with a large population of immigrants may be able to convince people that the immigration issue is an important issue for the community but will be hard put to find a solution concerning immigration that satisfies the community given the draconian Republican proposals. This may be why Democrats are rated higher than Republicans and Bush on immigration.
Pew also has a breakdown of the five Metropolitan Area Surveys they conducted in Phoenix, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and Washington, DC. Candidates running in these areas ought to check out these reports. My main advice to Democratic candidates campaigning in areas where immigration issues are a high priority would be to oppose any legislation that would make illegal immigrants felons and of course point out that Republicans favor this kind of legislation. After all they passed it in the House and their Majority Leader of the Senate came up with similar legislation. Above all else, oppose building walls along the border as a solution to any immigration problem.
Just a note, I am still working on my diary on the Arizona Senate race featuring Jim Pederson.