Features Border Reporter Blog
Poll: Anti-Immigrant Sentiment Grows By Salome Eguizabal
The vast majority of Latin American undocumented immigrants (78%) say anti-immigrant sentiment is growing in the United States, according to a poll conducted by New America Media. A majority of them (64%) also claim this sentiment is having a negative effect on their families.
Nevertheless, they view with optimism their quality of life in the United States; 80% rate it as excellent or good.
The poll of 1,600 undocumented immigrants arriving to the country before Jan. 1, 2007, also found that the vast majority of them were willing to comply with proposed federal legislation to legalize their status.
Eighty-three percent would have been willing to apply for the proposed “Z” temporary work visa proposed in the U.S. Senate bill which collapsed June 28.
Of those, 76% said they were very or somewhat likely to have applied for legal permanent residence.
The survey was conducted in Spanish between June 9 and June 19. Results are available at www.newamericamedia.org/polls
Five Myths of Immigrants in Health Care By Salome Eguizabal
Five myths about immigrants perpetuate the stereotype that they are a burden to the U.S. health care system, according to a study.
The Center for American Progress claims in a 10-page report by analyst Meredith L. King that certain myths about documented and undocumented immigrants’ use of health care services fuel the perception that one of the biggest reasons for the nation’s failing health care system is the growth of immigration.
The study maintains that these myths need to be analyzed objectively to better inform critical policy-making decisions on health care and immigration reforms.
The five myths are: Myth #1 — U.S. public health insurance programs are overburdened with documented and undocumented immigrants. Myth #2 – Immigrants consume large quantities of limited health care resources. Myth #3 – Immigrants come to the United States to gain access to health care services. Myth #4 – Restricting immigrants’ access to the health care system will not affect U.S. citizens. Myth #5 – Undocumented immigrants are “free-riders” in this nation’s health care system.
The report is available at www.americanprogress.org.
