Amid continued talks of a coming amnesty proposal for the 111th Congress, a recent Gallup Poll found that Americans across the board are less favorable towards immigration than they were just one year ago. (Gallup, August 6, 2009)
According to the poll, half of the Americans polled (50%) say America's immigration levels should be decreased. That number is up from 39% last year. By contrast, 14% of Americans say immigration should be increased, which is down from 18% last year. The Gallup Poll findings reveal that Americans, regardless of party affiliation, are taking a "tougher stance" towards immigration than they did a year ago.
While Republicans are traditionally associated with a more restrictive immigration policy, the Gallup Poll found that Democrats are also increasingly supportive of a more restrictive immigration policy. According to the poll, 44% of Democrats polled favor a reducing immigration levels while only 15% support increasing immigration levels.
American's views on immigration are no doubt a reflection of the current tough economic times. There are now more than 14.5 million Americans without a job and actively looking for work. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2009). At the same time, it is estimated that 8.3 million illegal aliens are part of America's workforce despite their employment being in violation of U.S. law. Although the illegal alien population has been able to be subsidized by the American taxpayer for a number of years, the traditional 5% range of unemployment has now been edging closer to 10%, a number rarely seen since World War II. This number is even greater in various demographics such as 12.2% for Hispanics, 14.7% for African Americans, and 24% for teenagers. (See: FAIR's Study on Amnesty and Joblessness, June, 2009)
As state and local governments continue to experience strained budgets, the American people have become increasingly conscious of the cost of illegal immigration. According to FAIR's own recent cost studies, illegal immigration is negatively impact state budgets. For example, in Florida, the cost to state taxpayers in 2008 was $3.8 billion per year, up from $1.7 billion in 2005. At the same time, Floridians are experiencing 8.6% unemployment and a projected $6 billion budget shortfall which will undoubtedly lead to spending cuts. (Florida Cost Study, April 2009). A similar situation in Pennsylvania has coincided with a proposed three year temporary increase of one-half percent in the state's personal income tax. (Pennsylvania Cost Study, July 2009). Also, while illegal immigrants take jobs that unemployed American citizens would gladly do, foreign remittances sent abroad by the illegal alien population drain state's economies, further preventing job creation. (See also, Virginia Cost Study, June 2009, Nevada Cost Study, February 2009 and North Carolina Cost Study, January 2009).
While all Americans across the country feel the impact of the recent financial crisis, many are also concerned with the expanding carbon footprint America is leaving behind. A recent study by FAIR on Energy Use, CO2 Emission and Immigration, exposes the huge role population increase has had on increased energy consumption. Between 1975 and 2007, consumption in the residential sector increased by 44.7 percent, almost entirely as a result of population growth. During that same period a mass amnesty program and subsequent mini-amnesties have led to massive population growth, not to mention the estimated 13 million illegal population currently residing in the U.S.
Perhaps it is the harsh jobless picture, growing concern over government spending and deficits, or concern for our environment that has changed the minds of the American people. In any event, Americans clearly support stricter limits on immigration. Despite this fact, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) continues to disregard the views of the American people. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, Senator Schumer intends to push an amnesty bill by Labor Day that will, if past "comprehensive immigration reform" proposals are any indication dramatically increase future immigration levels. This bill would make it harder for Americans who are out of work to find a job, place additional strains on state and local budgets and pose significant burdens on the environment and further strain America's increasingly scarce natural resources. According to Schumer, "No big logs have been placed in the way...so we're going to keep at it." (Congressional Quarterly, August 5, 2009) .
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