RSS Feed
Print Story
E-mail Story
Most Latinos not so liberal on immigration
| Wednesday, Apr 18 2007 11:05 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Apr 18 2007 11:11 PM
If any state had an excuse to take a hard-line stance toward immigration, it would be California.
BAKERSFIELD.COM HOT TOPICS:
Loading Stories
Advertisement
It has the highest percentage of foreign-born people in the nation, with more than one of four residents being from another country, according to 2005 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Between 2000 and 2005, the foreign-born population grew by more than 9 percent. More than half of the state's foreigners are from Latin America.
The vast majority of immigrants is here legally, but that still scares some people.
Like the considerate gentleman who recently e-mailed me a doctored photograph that showed the border with a sign that said, "Leaving Mexico, Entering Meximerica," and another sign with distances to the nearest welfare department, Social Security office and free medical care provider.
Thank goodness the state's voters are more enlightened. Results released last week by the independent and nonpartisan Field Poll, for example, indicate that when it comes to the thorniest immigration problem of all, illegal immigration, voters want both tough measures and more lenient treatment toward illegal immigrants who are already in the United States.
Results from Kern County were not available. There were 570 registered voters surveyed and the margin of error was plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
While some politicians and radio talk-show hosts have become increasingly alarmist about illegal immigrants -- it's easier to whip up emotions than explain complex issues -- the state's voters seem to want a more forgiving policy.
Despite the cries of those who claim it would reward lawbreakers, for example, four of five support programs to legalize the status of illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States for a number of years. Two of three also favor a temporary worker program. And more than half oppose the idea of building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Lest you think that this is just another example of those liberal Left Coast people being soft on illegal immigration, most state voters also back increasing the number of federal agents at the border and imposing tougher penalties on those who hire illegal immigrants. Interestingly, most also said they favor rounding up and deporting illegal immigrants.
Over the last three or four years, I've seen reams of statistics that show the immigration views of Californians are pretty close to those of voters throughout the nation, and that's squarely in the political middle.
Some people assume that because of their ties to Latin America, Hispanics will always be sympathetic to illegal immigrants. I know because as a columnist who is Latino, I get hit with that accusation all the time. It turns out, that's not true.
The Field Poll also compared the answers of California's Latino voters with those of non-Latino voters, and guess what? In many respects, they are virtually identical.
Like their non-Hispanic counterparts, Latinos support a path to legalization for longtime illegal immigrants, a guest worker program and more feds at the border, but oppose building a border wall, although they are less likely to want stiffer penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
It's not difficult to understand. Voters want a combination of tough penalties and realistic measures when it comes to illegal immigration.
Now, if only Congress would listen.
Leonel Martinez's column appears every other Thursday. Send comments or suggestions to lmartinez@bakersfield.com or leave a voice mail at 395-7631.