A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America a Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America

Home , Coming to America

A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America

By Scott Bittle and Jonathan Rochkind With Amber Ott and Paul Gasbarra

Prepared with support from

Download a copy of “A Place to Call Home” at http://www.publicagenda.org/pages/immigrants Design: Sanura Weathers | Copyediting: Jason Miller and Sona Vogel

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA. Summary of Findings

Introduction 6

Part One: The Right Move 10 Overall, immigrants say they’re quite satisfied with life in the United States, for themselves and their children. Discrimination against immigrants doesn’t seem to be part of their daily lives, because while majorities say it exists, majorities also say they haven’t experienced much discrimination personally. Right now, the biggest concern for immigrants is much the same as for native-born Americans: the economy and their own financial well-being. The economic tumult in our society is shaping some of their perceptions—and motivations.

++ Immigrants believe discrimination is commonplace, but the numbers seem stable, and most say it happens to “the other guy.”

++ The government’s immigration services get better marks than they did seven years ago, in Public Agenda’s study Now That I’m Here.

++ There is a drop in overall satisfaction among immigrants with life in the United States, and the state of the economy may be driving it.

Part Two: Fitting In 20 Most immigrants say that they have become comfortable in the United States quickly, yet ties to their birth countries have become stronger since 2002, particularly among recent immigrants. Most of the immigrants we surveyed either were citizens already or were in the process of being naturalized. For most of them, citizenship was a practical step. So is learning to speak English, with most immigrants reporting that it is difficult to get ahead or keep a job without language skills.

++ In focus groups, immigrants often said life in the United States was not what they thought it would be.

++ Immigrants report closer ties to birth country than they did seven years ago. They spend more time with people from their birth country and are more likely to call home and send money.

++ Significant numbers of immigrants came to the United States without being able to speak English, and more than half of them still consider their language skills fair or poor. However, they consider speaking English important for getting ahead, and most say they’ve taken classes to improve their ability.

++ Growing numbers of immigrants cite practical reasons for seeking U.S. citizenship: Securing stronger rights and protections and ease in obtaining a job are just as important as showing commitment and pride in America.

3  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Summary of Findings

Part Three: Common Threads, Different Voices 28 Although there are common themes among immigrants, certain groups do have unique perspectives. We chose to look at two groups, immigrants from Mexico and immigrants who identify themselves as Muslims as these groups are at the forefront of immigration policy and perceptions. Mexican immigrants are more likely to say they’re happy in the United States, but also significantly more likely to perceive discrimination against immigrants. They’re also more likely to be lower-income and perhaps face more language barriers. Muslims, by contrast, are less likely to report discrimination and overwhelmingly more likely to say the United States will be their permanent home.

++ Mexican immigrants are more likely to say the United States is a better place to raise children and are less likely to speak English when they arrive. Overwhelming numbers say that the United States is a better place to make a living than is their birth country.

++ Mexican immigrants express particularly strong concerns about discrimination.

++ Mexican immigrants are even more likely to cite the practical side of citizenship.

++ Compared with Mexicans, other Latin American immigrants are more likely to speak English, more likely to be legal residents and less tied to their birth country.

++ Muslim immigrants in America do not feel disaffection with the nation—far from it. If anything, their embrace of the United States and their expressions of patriotism are stronger than those of the other groups.

++ When it comes to immigration policy, majorities believe that illegal immigrants will become productive citizens, and strong majorities favor a “guest worker” program and a “path to citizenship” for immigrants who are legal residents. But some immigrants, particularly older ones and those from, certain regions, have reservations

4  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Summary of Findings

Methodology 42

Full Survey Results 46

Characteristics of the Sample 70

Acknowledgements 74

5  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Introduction

ongress and the Bush administration tried to reform immigration policy in 2006 and failed. A year later they tried again, with no more success. Now President Barack Obama and congressional leaders say they’ll try C once more. Political leaders are speaking of it in just those terms: one last chance, one last try. “We’ve got one more chance to do this,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., after a White House meeting in June. “If we fail this time around, no politician is going to take this up in a generation.”1

Perhaps that’s hyperbole, but whether it is or not, the stakes remain high. It’s a cliché to say that America is a nation of immigrants, but like most clichés, this one began as a statement of simple truth. Another truth is that if we’re going to overhaul immigration policy, it only makes sense to listen to the people who will be most affected by it: immigrants. To craft a just and practical policy, we need to see America through the immigrant’s eyes. That’s true whether you favor an open door or a higher fence. You can’t hope to implement sound strategies unless you understand what brings people to the United States and what they think about the nation once they get here.

1 “Guest Worker Program Poses Obstacle for Obama on Immigration Push,” June 25, 2009, The New York Times, http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/guest-worker-program-poses-obstacle-for-obama-on-immigration-push Introduction

That’s what Public Agenda hopes to accomplish with One thing is clear from our research, and probably A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now comforting to both sides of the immigration debate: About Life in America, the follow-up to our pioneering The overwhelming majority of immigrants say they’re 2002 survey of immigrants, Now That I’m Here. In A happy in the United States and would do it all over Place to Call Home, we’ve extended our sampling to again if they could. Immigrants “buy in” to American gain a more detailed view of Hispanics and Muslims. society, for themselves and their children. They rate the Because we surveyed both cell phone owners and United States as an improvement over their birthplace landline households, we were able to capture the per- in almost all dimensions, and most say they expect their spectives of undocumented immigrants as well. Just as children to remain in this country. This sense of having important, we can now see trend data on how immi- made the right decision cuts across all groups, regard- grants view a tumultuous period in history. less of income, immigration status or ethnic group.

The past seven years have seen ferocious debate over Despite much rhetoric and a number of well-pub- immigration, even as legislation has remained stalled. licized incidents, many immigrants report that The United States admits more than 1 million immi- discrimination and government harassment aren’t grants a year, and the Census Bureau reports 12 percent a major part of their daily lives. Although many of the population is foreign-born at 34.2 million. In say discrimination does exist in the United States— addition, there are an estimated 12 million illegal or against both immigrants in general and people undocumented immigrants in the country.2 from their birth country—most don’t report having personally encountered much discrimination. In 2002, the immigration debate was haunted by the Thirty-eight percent of immigrants say they haven’t ghosts of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the faced discrimination at all. Government immigra- question of how to keep the country secure from further tion officials get higher ratings now than they did acts of terrorism. Those concerns haven’t gone away, in our 2002 survey. of course, but the economic and cultural tensions that have always shaped immigration policy have reasserted Still, roughly one-quarter of immigrants report themselves. While attempts to change immigration laws running into at least some discrimination personally, have failed, they’ve also kept the issue at the forefront of and about 1 in 10 immigrants reports having done so public debate. Employers who hire illegal immigrants “a great deal.” One cannot discount the power these are under increased pressure from the federal govern- encounters have and the extent to which they reso- ment to comply with existing laws, and a number of nate, not only for the immigrants themselves but also state and local governments have enacted their own for their communities. When only a few individuals laws to restrict services to immigrants without docu- report bad experiences but solid majorities are con- ments. All this has led to a fever-pitch debate over how vinced that discrimination exists, it’s a fair assumption the country should deal with immigration. that those few incidents can have lasting echoes.

2 “Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2008,” Department of Homeland Security, http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/publications/yearbook.shtm.

7  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Introduction

Most immigrants would still move here if given It’s also true that fewer immigrants say they’re “extremely the opportunity to make that choice again happy” in the United States than seven years ago, and the number who say they’d do it all over again has If you could do it again, would you choose to come to the United States, stay in the country where you were fallen. However, this doesn’t seem to be driven by dis- born or pick a different country to live in? crimination or by problems adjusting to a new country. Most immigrants, in fact, say they fit into American life 3% quickly, even as their ties to their birth country seem to 6% have grown stronger. More immigrants say they phone home and send money regularly compared with those who responded in 2002, and half of the immigrants 19% we surveyed say they spend time mostly with others 71% from their birth country, a significant increase from seven years ago. This seeming contradiction—quickly becoming comfortable in the United States even as ties to their birth country grow stronger—suggests that other immigrants, and the broader immigrant community, play a strong role in helping immigrants adjust. 71% Come to the United States Immigrants say the biggest problem they face right now 19% Stay in birth country is also the biggest problem facing the rest of the country: 6% Pick a different country the economy. We’re seeing this reflected in multiple 3% Don’t know dimensions. Not only do more than 6 in 10 immigrants say the economy is the most important problem for the country, but financial concerns seem to be playing a much greater role in their attitudes. Almost all still say that the United States is a better place than their birth country for earning a living, but more also cite finding a job and securing government assistance as major reasons to pursue citizenship. No wonder, then, that their overall happiness has diminished.

Note: Question wording in charts may be slightly edited for space. Full question wording is available in the Full Survey Results at the end of this report. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding or the omission of some answer categories.

8  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Introduction

So as the debate renews on immigration reform, what with a list of phone numbers of those likely to identify do immigrants want? What path do they believe the with one of these ethnicities. The list was provided by nation should take? Ethnic Technologies, a leading provider of multicultural lists. Within each household, an adult member For immigrants, there are several overarching themes was chosen randomly and screened to ensure that he for reform. A solid majority says that illegal immigrants or she matched our immigrant criteria. become productive citizens—almost exactly the opposite of the view held by the general public. Perhaps not Since we conducted our last survey on immigrants surprisingly, immigrants support new measures to bring in 2002, the number of people in the United States illegal or undocumented immigrants more firmly into who use a cell phone has increased significantly, and the mainstream. An overwhelming 84 percent support this number is even greater for immigrant popula- a “guest worker” program, while more than 7 in 10 tions. According to both the 2009 National Health back a “path to citizenship” for undocumented immi- Interview Survey (NHIS) and the General Social grants who have no criminal record and have shown a Survey (GSS), 22 percent of foreign-born residents of commitment to the United States, though support for the United States do not own a landline telephone but this latter varies according to age and ethnic group. As do own a cell phone. Thus we included a dual-frame a whole, however, immigrants back some method of cell phone sample alongside our landline sample to bringing illegal immigrants into society. capture immigrants who do not have access to a landline. In addition, our stratified random dialing design This report was based on six focus groups and a ensured that no matter where an immigrant lived in national telephone survey of 1,138 foreign-born the United States, whether in a location that has a adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent, high density of immigrants or one where immigrants although the margin is higher when comparing sub- are fewer or farther between, all immigrants had a groups. There are plenty of methodological hurdles chance to be included in our survey. intrinsic to interviewing this population. As in our prior study, we limited our definition of immigrants One final difference from our last immigrant study: In to people born outside the United States, and in order this survey, we chose to ask respondents about their to capture their recollections of coming to America, legal status in the United States. Before weighting, eight we excluded anyone who immigrated under 5 years percent of our sample say that they are undocumented, of age. And as before, we conducted the telephone and 57 percent say that they are United States citizens. Of survey in English and Spanish. those who say they are not citizens, 20 percent say they are in the process of becoming a citizen and 76 percent This time, we wanted to take a closer look at partic- are not in the process. But 64 percent of the noncitizens ular ethnic groups that are often overlooked because say they plan to seek citizenship in the future. of their relatively small size in the United States, including Middle Easterners, South and East Asians, A Place to Call Home is funded by the Carnegie and Central and South Americans. To do so, we sup- Corporation of New York.  plemented our random-digit dialed (RDD) sample

9  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move Part 1: The Right Move

verall, immigrants say they’re quite satisfied with life in the United States, for themselves and their children. Discrimination against immigrants doesn’t seem to be part of their daily lives. Although majorities Osay it exists, majorities also say they haven’t personally experienced much of it. Right now, the biggest concern for immigrants is much the same as for native-born Americans: the economy and their own financial well- being. The economic tumult in our society may be shaping some of their perceptions—and motivations.

For any decision in life, whether it involves a job accepted or lost, a marriage made or ended, a school selected or a vote cast, the evaluation comes down to one question: Would you do it all over again? There may be regrets or dissatisfactions; that’s part of the human condition. But if life came with a time machine or a reset button, would you make the same choice? Part 1: The Right Move

By that standard, immigrants in America are clearly The reasons for this seem straightforward: Immigrants happy with their choice. More than 7 in 10 (71 buy in to American society. There’s always been a percent) report that if they could do it all over again, fierce debate among pundits and political scientists they’d still come to the United States. Nor are they about “American exceptionalism,” the idea that the likely to give up and go home; indeed, equally large United States is unique among nations. Some find numbers (70 percent) say that they intend to make this idea ennobling, others pernicious. Maybe it’s no the United States their permanent home. surprise, since immigrants have volunteered to build their lives here, but the people we surveyed have very That goes for their children as well. About three-quarters little doubt: 76 percent say the United States is “a of immigrant parents (74 percent) say it’s unlikely their unique country that stands for something special in children will want to live in their birth country, with a the world.” Only 20 percent disagree, saying that the strong 58 percent saying it’s “very unlikely.” United States is “just another country that is no better or worse than any other.”

Most immigrants say they are happy in the United States and say they would do it again given the chance, though numbers have declined since 2002 Overall, would you say that you are extremely happy, If you could do it again, would you choose to come to somewhat happy or generally disappointed with life the United States, stay in the country where you were in the United States? born or pick a different country to live in? 2009:  Extremely happy  Somewhat happy 2009:  Come to the United States 2002*:  Extremely happy  Somewhat happy 2002*:  Come to the United States

71% 34% 53% 87% 71% 34% 53% 87%

80% 55% 41% 96% 80% 55% 41% 96%

0 20 40 60 80 100% 0 20 40 60 80 100% 0 20 40 60 80 100% 0 20 40 60 80 100%

*Source: “Now That I’m Here,” Public Agenda 2003, survey conducted in 2002.

11  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move Part 1: The Right Move

When asked to make specific comparisons about the Immigrants believe discrimination is common- United States and their birth country, the United place, but the numbers seem stable, and most say States comes out far ahead on many of the fundamen- it happens to “the other guy.” tals of daily life, things native-born Americans may The history of immigration in the United States shows take for granted. Strong majorities say that the United that the ideas of an open door and a cold reception States does a better job than their birth country when are not incompatible in the public’s view. There’s it comes to: often been discrimination against people based on ++ Offering the opportunity to earn a good living their race and ethnicity, whether they were born in (88 percent).3 the United States or not.

++ Having a trustworthy legal system (70 percent). That said, although our survey finds that immigrants recognize discrimination in the American experi- ++ Making good health care available (67 percent). ence, it isn’t necessarily a substantial part of their ++ Maintaining a good education system personal experience. (62 percent). More than 6 in 10 immigrants (63 percent) say In fact, three-quarters of immigrant parents of school- there’s some discrimination against immigrants in age children say their child is getting a better education the United States today. One in five (22 percent) in the United States than they themselves received at say there’s “a great deal” of discrimination. And that same age. 43 percent say there’s at least some discrimination against people from their birth country (15 percent Smaller majorities also give the United States an say “a great deal”). edge in areas like “being a good place to raise children” and “having a free and independent media” However, only 9 percent of immigrants say that they (both 55 percent). have personally experienced “a great deal” of discrimination, with another 16 percent reporting that they experienced “some.” That means 73 percent of immigrants say they’ve experienced “only a little” (35 percent) or no discrimination (38 percent). The number of those who have personally experienced “a great deal” or “some” discrimination does not vary by immigration status, religion, level of English-language ability or country of origin.

3 In the survey, respondents were asked specifically about the country in which they were born unless they declined to specify their home country (six respondents, or 0.5 percent of those surveyed), in which case they were asked to refer to their “home country.” For example, someone from France would be asked the question: “Do you think the United States or France does a better job when it comes it to… having more opportunity to earn a good living?”

12  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move Part 1: The Right Move

In addition, there doesn’t seem to be any increase in Discrimination is a serious concern, personal experience of discrimination since our 2002 but most do not personally experience survey. In fact, there’s even a slight but statistically it to a great degree significant downward shift between the number of Would you say that there is a great deal, some, immigrants who said they have personally experi- only a little or no discrimination in the United enced discrimination in 2002 (7 percent said a great States today against: deal and 23 percent said some) and those who say 2009:  A great deal  Some as much in the current survey (9 percent say a great 2002:  A great deal  Some deal, and 16 percent say some).

Of the 51 percent of immigrants who have been Immigrants in the United States here longer than five years and say they have expe- 22% 40% 63% rienced discrimination, more than half also say they 18% 43% 61% have experienced the same level (37 percent) or more discrimination (17 percent) in the past five years; 44 Immigrants from your birth country* percent say that they have experienced less. 15% 28% 43% Only 5 percent of those who have been in the United States for at least five years say that in those past five years, they have been stopped by the police and asked You personally about their immigration status. 9% 16% 26% 7% 23% 30%

0 20 40 60 80 100%

* Note: This item was not asked in 2002.

13  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move Part 1: The Right Move

The government’s immigration services get better Immigrants who are not citizens but are legal resi- marks than they did seven years ago. dents gave government immigration services about the same positive ratings as citizens. Undocumented While comprehensive immigration reform has eluded immigrants were slightly more ambivalent about their policymakers, there have been significant changes experiences overall, but a majority gave positive or in how the government approaches immigration neutral ratings. law. Since we first surveyed immigrants in 2002, the federal government split the old Immigration and There is a drop in overall satisfaction among immi- Naturalization Service into two agencies, to separate grants with life in the United States, and the state processing visas and citizenship applications from of the economy may be driving it. enforcement of immigration laws. Federal officials The global financial crisis, vast in scope and fright- also became more aggressive in enforcing immigra- ening in speed, has overwhelmed other public tion laws after September 11, hiring more agents and concerns in surveys over the past year. In this area, making enough new detentions to create substantial immigrants are no different from other Americans. In backlogs in immigration courts.4 our survey, 6 in 10 (63 percent) immigrants volunteer When it comes to their dealings with the government, the economy as the most important problem facing nearly half of the immigrants (47 percent) we spoke the nation, far ahead of any other issue. Other sources with have had contact with “U.S. immigration ser- prove this point as well. Mexican government statis- vices” in the past 10 years. Some 15 percent say that tics show that fewer Mexicans are emigrating to the they had contact within the past year.5 United States, and the ones already here are sending less money home, both trends Mexican officials attri- Overall, immigrants gave federal immigration officials bute to the economy.6 better ratings than did their counterparts in 2002. We saw a 10-point rise in the number of people giving pos- The effect of the economy on immigrants’ attitudes itive ratings (from 48 percent to 58 percent). Nearly 6 in our survey may be apparent in a number of ways. in 10 (58 percent) of current immigrants who recently Although strong majorities of immigrants seem content dealt with immigration services say that it is easy to get with life in the United States, there is less satisfaction information, and 21 percent say it’s “very easy.” than there was in 2002. Fewer say they’d “do it all

4 “Study Finds Immigration Courtrooms Backlogged,” June 17, 2009, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/us/18immig.html

5 Our 2002 survey was conducted when immigration enforcement and citizenship applications were both handled by the same agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Our survey questions referred specifically to the INS. Since then, the INS has split into two agencies: Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Our 2009 survey questions refer to “U.S. immigration services.”

6 See, for example, “Mexican Data Show Migration to the U.S. in Decline,” May 14, 2009, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/us/15immig.html; and “Remittances by Mexicans in U.S. Plummet,” June 1, 2009, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/world/americas/02mexico.html

14  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move Part 1: The Right Move

Immigrants say the United States … And they give the United States consistently is a unique country better ratings than their birth country Which of these two statements comes Please tell me if you think the United States or your closer to your own view? birth country does a better job when it comes to the following item or if they are about the same.  United States 4%  Birth Country  About the Same

20% Having more opportunity to earn a good living 88% 9% 11% 2% Having a legal system you can trust 76% 70% 23% 28% 5% Making good health care available 67% 76% The United States is a unique country that 15% 16% 31% stands for something special in the world 20% The United States is just another country Having a good education system that is no better or worse than any other 62% 4% Don’t know/refused 14% 23% 37%

Being a good place to raise children 55% 18% 25% 43%

Having a free and independent media as well as forms of free expression 55% 9% 34% 43%

Having a higher standard of morality 49% 16% 31% 47%

Letting people practice the religion they choose 44% 50% 55% 5%

0 20 40 60 80 100%

15  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move

While U.S. immigration services are now … A substantial minority still finds more likely to get positive ratings… it difficult to get information As far as you remember, was your experience dealing In your experience, how hard is it to get information with government immigration services an overall and answers about immigration and naturalization positive one, an overall negative one or somewhere issues from the government? Is it easy or hard?* in the middle?*  2009  2002**

13% Overall positive experience 58% 36% 48% 26% Overall negative experience 7% 12% 21%

Somewhere in the middle 31% 35% 21% Very easy 36% Somewhat easy

0 20 40 60 80 100% 26% Somewhat hard 13% Very hard

* Note: Asked of those who had dealings with government services in the past ten years. In 2002, wording used Immigration and Naturalization Services (I.N.S.). * Note: Asked of those who had dealings **Source: “Now That I’m Here,” Public Agenda 2003. with government services in the past ten years.

16  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move So Who are the Disenchanted? So what defines those immigrants who believe that they ++ One in five say that they have personally experi- made the wrong choice by coming to the United States? enced a “great deal” of discrimination, more than We tried to find common features among the one- twice the number of the overall sample, and only 6 quarter of immigrants surveyed who say they wouldn’t percent among those who say they’d immigrate come here if they had it to do over again. That includes again say the same. those who say they would have stayed in their birth ++ Most of these regretful immigrants have been in the country (19 percent) and those who would have immi- United States for a substantial period of time. More grated somewhere else (6 percent). than half, 56 percent, came to the United States The biggest differences between this group and other before 2001. immigrants seem to be language and discrimination. Other potential dividing lines don’t seem to make much ++ Language is by far the biggest difference, though the difference. This isn’t a matter of income, religion or edu- same number (76 percent) say they came to this cation; this group shows no real differences in these country knowing either no or only a little English, 74 areas when compared with other immigrants. percent report that their English is fair or poor (34 Nor is it a question of ethnicity or birth country. Some 29 percent of them say that it is poor compared with 24 percent, the largest single group, were listed as “other,” percent among those who came here knowing little in other words, not Asian, Middle Eastern, Central or or no English and say they would immigrate again). South American or Mexican. Latin Americans do make up ++ They’re significantly more likely to say that there is a half this group when Mexicans (28 percent) are com- “great deal” of discrimination against immigrants bined with Central and South Americans (22 percent). (38 percent, compared with 17 percent among those Finally, this group is more likely to be undocumented who say they’d do it all over again). (27 percent), though that number remains relatively small. Part 1: The Right Move

over again,” falling from 80 percent in 2002 to 71 become citizens. In addition, 86 percent of undocu- percent now. In addition, although an overwhelming mented immigrants cite the economy as their number 87 percent say they’re happy with life in the United one concern (compared with 59 percent of citizens States, there’s been a significant drop in enthusiasm. and other legal residents). In 2002, 55 percent said that they were “extremely At the same time, as you will see in the other find- happy,” compared with only 34 percent now. ings, other concerns that immigrants might have, To some extent, these numbers match surveys of the including fitting into the American fabric, expe- general public over the past year, which have found riencing discrimination and concerns about their record numbers of Americans saying the country is children, did not change or have even decreased “on the wrong track.”7 With immigrants, however, since 2002. This strongly suggests that the current there are also shifts in several other areas that suggest state of the economy may be the driving force behind economic strains are starting to tell. the lower levels of satisfaction.

In both 2002 and today, strong majorities of immigrants And though the survey found that almost 9 in 10 say say it’s important to work hard and stay off govern- the United States was a better place than their birth ment assistance. But those numbers have shifted. For country for earning a good living, our focus groups example, those who think it is “extremely important” did pick up some suggestions that this might change, for immigrants to stay off welfare has dropped from at least for some immigrants. A number of focus 73 percent in 2002 to 63 percent today. There’s also group participants pointed out that the standard of an increase in the number of immigrants who say that living is rising in other countries, such as China and qualifying for government programs like Medicaid or India, which means that similar opportunities may be food stamps is a major reason for becoming a citizen. opening up there as well. Only 36 percent of immigrants say that this is a major “Nowadays, for example in China, people make [a] reason to pursue citizenship, but this is 14 points higher very decent [living]. If you’re looking at the relative than when we asked in 2002. purchasing power, people in China are pretty com- If anything, economic concerns are stronger among fortable, as they are here. Talking about opportunity- more recent and undocumented immigrants. Newer wise, I have a lot of friends who are, relatively immigrants (those who arrived in 2001 or later) are speaking, much better off than my friends here.” more likely to cite getting a job (82 percent versus 65 - A San Francisco participant originally from China percent) and being eligible for government programs  (46 percent versus 31 percent) as major reasons to

7 In a recent CBS News/New York Times Poll, half of Americans said that things in this country have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track, compared with 44 percent who said things are generally going in the right direction (June 2009).

18  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 1: The Right Move Part Two: Fitting In Part 2: Fitting In Part 2: Fitting In

ost immigrants say that they have become comfortable in the United States quickly, yet ties to their birth countries have become stronger since 2002, particularly among recent immigrants. Most of the Mimmigrants we surveyed either were citizens already or were in the process of being naturalized. For most of them, citizenship is a practical step. So is learning to speak English, with most immigrants reporting that it is difficult to get ahead or keep a job without language skills.

Immigrants clearly buy into American values, but how long does it take them to feel comfortable in American society? Although immigrants embrace what the United States stands for, this is no guarantee that they are able to fit in on a day-to-day basis. Part 2: Fitting In

The immigrants we surveyed don’t seem to feel that In focus groups, immigrants often said life in the fitting in is a major barrier and in fact say the process United States was not what they thought it would be. moved quickly. More than three-quarters (77 percent) In the focus groups we conducted as part of this study, say that it takes fewer than five years to “feel comfort- one of the consistent themes was of immigrants being able here and part of the community,” and nearly half surprised by how much work it takes to succeed in (47 percent) say it took fewer than two. the United States. Even with all of its advantages over Such easy comfort with their adopted home generally their birth countries, the reality for many immigrants isn’t being propelled by money or a common lan- is that it can be difficult to live in the United States and guage. Just more than three-quarters (76 percent) say achieve a good standard of living. that they came to the United States with “very little “There’s the assumption that when you come here money,” and only 20 percent say they had “a good you will become wealthy very fast and very easily. amount of money to get started.” Some 45 percent I have to work 12, 16 hours a day to make a living. say that they came to this country not speaking any [In my birth country]…they work, like, from nine English at all, an increase of 10 points since 2002. until two and then go home.” In general, we aren’t talking about people who move - A woman in the Detroit, Michigan, focus group freely between nations, so-called citizens of the world. We’re talking about people who say they’re taking a Her sentiment is partly borne out by the survey, which big financial and cultural gamble when the emigrate also asked how often immigrants found themselves to the United States. living “paycheck to paycheck.” Some 70 percent of immigrants reported doing so “always,” “most of the time” or “sometimes.” When Newsweek asked the same question of the general public in January 2009, only 59 percent said they lived paycheck to paycheck.8

Among our focus groups, there was a general sense that America has no better publicist than Hollywood on this point—although movies and television often broadcast a misleading picture.

“All the movies [are] just great propaganda…like it’s a lot of fun and [you have] a lot of money and all that. You don’t think about, like, you have to pay [the] mortgage. You don’t know.” - A man in New York

8 When asked, “How often, if ever, do you and your family live from paycheck to paycheck: always, most of the time, sometimes, hardly ever or never?” 23 percent said always, 16 percent said most of the time, 20 percent said sometimes, 17 percent hardly ever and 21 percent never (Princeton Survey Research Associates International/Newsweek Poll, January 2009).

21  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 2: Fitting In Part 2: Fitting In

“When I came here, the first thing I imagined was I These strengthened ties are not merely emotional, want to live la vida loca, the great life. When I either; they’re financial. While there’s been no real recently arrived here, I wound up in an area that change in the number of immigrants who say they send was very bad, in a two-bedroom apartment where money to their birth country regularly, the number who 12 people were living. They were sharing their rent, say they do so “once in a while” increased 14 points, to and I said, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ With 44 percent. And the number who say they never send time, I wound up renting another apartment. I money fell from 55 percent to 37 percent. didn’t imagine it would be like this.” About one-quarter of our sample was made up of more - A woman in the Los Angeles focus group recent immigrants, those who arrived since 2001. On the whole, their ties to the United States aren’t as Immigrants report closer ties to their birth country strong. For example: than they did seven years ago. They spend more time with people from their birth country and are ++ One-third say they will go back to live in their more likely to call home and send money. birth country someday.

There’s some suggestion, however, that when it comes to ++ Three in ten (32 percent) say it is likely that their being “comfortable” in communities, other immigrants children will one day want to live in their birth play a critical role. Compared with results from 2002, country (compared with 18 percent of those here more immigrants say that they spend time with people before 2001). from their birth country and have closer ties there. ++ One-third (34 percent) say that if they had it Half of the immigrants we surveyed (51 percent) say to do over, they would either stay where they they spend “a lot” of time with people from their birth were born (26 percent) or pick a different country, a jump of 14 points from 2002. Other kinds of country (8 percent). birth-country ties have strengthened as well. One is the ++ Six in ten (61 percent) say that they spend simple act of telephoning. The number of immigrants a lot of time with people from their birth who tell us that they call home at least once a week country, compared with 47 percent of rose 12 points (40 percent from 28 percent). Granted, immigrants here before 2001. this may be partly because telecommunications is better and cheaper than even a few years ago. Cell phones ++ More than twice as many (66 percent are common, international calling is less expensive and compared with 29 percent) telephone innovations like Skype and instant messaging make it home at least once a week. easier to keep in touch.

22  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 2: Fitting In Part 2: Fitting In

The recent immigrants in A Place to Call Home do Significant numbers of immigrants came to the seem to have different attitudes on these points than United States without being able to speak English, those who were recent arrivals in our 2002 study, and more than half still consider their language Now That I’m Here—in other words, those who were skills fair or poor. However, they consider speaking new and still adjusting to American life in the 1990s English important for getting ahead, and most say as opposed to the 2000s. When we compare immi- they’ve taken classes to improve their ability. grants who arrived between 2001 and 2009 with One of the perpetual flashpoints in the immigration those from the 2002 study who arrived between debate has been over language: to what extent immi- 1990 and 2001, we find: grants speak English and to what extent the nation ++ The 2001-2009 group are more likely to spend a should accommodate those who don’t. As mentioned lot of time with people from their birth country above, a sizable number of immigrants (45 percent) (61 percent versus 35 percent in the 2002 survey). come to the United States with no knowledge of English. Overall, about half of them (52 percent) report that ++ They’re also more likely to call their birth they can read a book or newspaper “a little” or “not country at least once a week (66 percent at all.” Even more of them, 63 percent, consider their compared with 38 percent). ability to speak English to be “fair” or “poor.” ++ And, of those who came to the United States This is a barrier, and immigrants know it. More than knowing little or no English, they’re more half of immigrants (52 percent) say it is “very hard” to likely to say they speak their native language get a job without knowing English (although, interest- most of the time at home (86 percent compared ingly, that’s a 10-point decline from 2002), and more with 55 percent). than half (56 percent) say that the United States should At least as far as perceptions go, a majority of the immi- expect all immigrants to learn English. grants we surveyed in 2009 (57 percent) suggest that Immigrants are willing to take practical steps to address recent immigrants “have the same respect for American this. Seven in ten of those who came to this country laws and customs as immigrants like you.” About a knowing very little or no English at all say that they’ve third (32 percent) say that recent immigrants have less taken classes to improve their English, a jump of 23 respect, though only 15 percent of immigrants who percent from 2002. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) have arrived after 2001 agree. of immigrants overall say that it is more important for Among our focus groups, there was a strong sense that schools to teach immigrant children English as quickly American culture is a difficult force to resist. Many immi- as possible than it is to teach them other subjects in grants mentioned the materialism often associated with their native language. Some 88 percent of those with America as a drawback, although how they responded to school-age children consider their child’s English to be it depended greatly on their personal beliefs. “excellent” or “good.”

23  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 2: Fitting In Part 2: Fitting In

Despite this, English isn’t the primary language in many Among those who are citizens or plan to pursue citi- immigrant homes. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of zenship, one-third say, becoming a U.S. citizen is “a those who came to the United States speaking little or dream come true.” A majority, however, view the step no English say that they mostly speak their native lan- more matter-of-factly; 46 percent call it “necessary” guage at home, a 25-point increase from 2002. and 17 percent “practical.”

There’s also a significant difference based on when When we ask all immigrants about specific reasons for immigrants came here and how much money they have. becoming citizens, the top considerations are obtaining Ninety percent of those who still don’t speak English the right to vote and “better legal rights and protec- well came to the country with very little money. Recent tions,” both at 78 percent. “Showing commitment and immigrants (since 2001) are more likely to have arrived pride” came in at 71 percent, while “making it easier to already knowing how to speak English (30 percent com- get certain jobs” and not worrying about immigration pared with 22 percent), but the recent immigrants who status both came in at 69 percent. did not are also much more likely to speak their native Though these responses were consistent overall with language in the home (86 percent compared with 55 those from our 2002 survey, there were some consider- percent). These immigrants are also more doubtful able shifts. There are 14-point increases in those who about their skills, with 75 percent reporting that their say getting certain jobs and making it easier to travel are English is “fair” or “poor,” compared with 58 percent major reasons to become citizens. Qualifying for gov- of immigrants who have been here a while. ernment programs like Medicaid and food stamps also saw a 14-point increase, although, as noted, this still Growing numbers of immigrants cite practical remains quite low on the overall list, with 36 percent reasons for seeking U.S. citizenship: Securing calling it a major reason. stronger rights and protections and the ease with which they are able to get a job are just as important There was also a 13-point increase among those who as showing commitment and pride in America. say that a major reason to seek citizenship was to make it easier to bring other family members to the United The ultimate in “fitting in” is to become a citizen. In States (49 percent) and an 11-point increase among our survey, 46 percent of those we spoke to say that those who wished to dispel their worries about their they are not U.S. citizens, and 15 percent say they are immigration status.  undocumented.9 Of the noncitizens who are legal residents, 87 percent say they are either in the process or planned to become citizens in the future.

9 Undocumented immigrants were identified with the following question: Before you answer the next question, I want to assure you that this interview is totally confidential. Some immigrants have gotten all of their documents together and become legal residents. Other immigrants are still preparing their documents and are considered undocumented. Are you a legal resident, or are you an undocumented immigrant?

24  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 2: Fitting In Part 2: Fitting In

Recent immigrants have closer Citizens and legal residents consider U.S. ties to their birth country citizenship “necessary” and “practical”  Recent from 2009 survey (2001-2009) Which of these best describes what becoming a U.S. citizen means to you?*  Recent from 2002 survey (1990-2001)*

Those saying “a lot” of the people they know and spend time with come from the country where they were born 61% 33% 35% 46%

Those saying they telephone family or friends in their birth country at least once a week 2% 17% 66% 1% 38%

Those saying they speak their native language most of the time in their home** 46% Something necessary 86% 33% A dream come true 55% 17% Something practical 1% Something not so important 0 20 40 60 80 100% 2% Don’t know/refused

*Source: “Now That I’m Here,” Public Agenda 2003. * Note: Asked only of citizens, those in the process ** Note: Asked only of those who came of becoming a citizen, and those who are planning to the United States speaking little or no English. to become a citizen in the future.

25  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 2: Fitting In

Equal rights and commitment lead the reasons for pursuing citizenship although immigrants are increasingly likely to favor practical benefits For each of the following, please tell me if it is a major reason for becoming a citizen. 2009:  Major  Minor 2002*:  Major  Minor

RightsRights and and Responsibilities Responsibilities PracticalPractical Bene ts Bene ts

To haveTo have equal equal rights rights and andresponsibilities** responsibilities** To makeTo make it easier it easier to get to certainget certain jobs jobs 80%80%8% 8%88%88% 69%69%13%13%82%82% 55%55% 22%22%77%77%

So youSo youwould would not nothave have to worry to worry To getTo theget rightthe right to vote to vote aboutabout your your immigration immigration status status 78%78%12%12%90%90% 69%69% 13% 13%82%82% 76%76% 15%15%91%91% 58%58% 20% 20%78%78%

To haveTo have better better legal legal rights rights and and To makeTo make it easier it easier to travel to travel protectionsprotections in the in Unitedthe United States States in andin andout outof the of Unitedthe United States States 78%78%10%10%88%88% 65%65% 17% 17%82%82% 70%70% 16%16%86%86% 51%51% 26% 26%77%77%

To makeTo make it easier it easier to bring to bring other other To showTo show a commitment a commitment and andpride pride in being in being an American an American familyfamily members members to this to thiscountry country 71%71%14%14%84%84% 49%49% 17% 17%66%66% 65%65% 21%21%86%86% 36%36% 24% 24%60%60% To qualifyTo qualify for governmentfor government programs programs like likeMedicaid Medicaid or food or food stamps stamps 36%36% 20% 20%56%56% 22%22% 20% 20%42%42%

0 200 40 20 60 40 80 60 100% 80 100% 00 20 20 40 40 60 60 80 80 100% 100%

*Source: “Now That I’m Here,” Public Agenda 2003.

** Note: Not asked in 2002.

26  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 2: Fitting In Part Three: Common Threads, Different Voices Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

lthough there are common themes among immigrants, certain groups do have unique perspectives. We chose to look at two groups, immigrants from Mexico and immigrants who identify themselves as AMuslims as these groups are at the forefront of immigration policy and perceptions. Mexican immigrants are more likely to say they’re happy in the United States, but also significantly more likely to perceive discrimination against immigrants. They’re also more likely to be lower-income and perhaps face more language barriers. Muslims, by contrast, are less likely to report discrimination and overwhelmingly more likely to say the United States will be their permanent home.

When it comes to immigration policy, majorities believe that illegal immigrants will become productive citizens, and strong majorities favor a “guest worker” program and a “path to citizenship” for undocumented immigrants. But some immigrants, particularly older ones and those from certain groups, have reservations. Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

Mexican immigrants are more likely to say the United came here without knowing English, they’re also States is a better place to raise children and are less much more likely to say they speak their native lan- likely to speak English when they arrive. Overwhelming guage at home (81 percent versus 54 percent among numbers say that the United States is a better place other immigrants) and more likely to say they speak to make a living than their birth country. fair or poor English (78 percent compared with 54 percent). They’re significantly less likely to say that Like other immigrants, Mexicans are generally happy the United States should require immigrants to learn with their life in the United States. Seven in ten say English (44 percent compared with 61 percent). We the United States is a unique country that stands for conducted interviews in English as well as Spanish something special, and they’re just as likely as other (the respondent chose the language) and did not immigrants to say they’d do it all over again. interview in any other language, so it is not sur- Mexicans are more likely to believe that the United prising that many survey respondents say that their States is a good place to raise children (66 percent, English is only fair or poor. compared with 50 percent of all other immigrants) Yet Mexicans who knew little or no English when they and are just as skeptical as other immigrants that arrived are also about as likely as other immigrants to their children will go back to the country where they have taken an English course, and Mexican immigrants were born. An overwhelming 96 percent say that the overall are just as likely to say that schools should teach United States is a better place to earn a good living immigrant children English as quickly as possible. than is their birth country.

That’s particularly noteworthy, because Mexican Mexican immigrants express particularly strong immigrants tend to be lower-income and more con- concerns about discrimination. cerned about the economy. A staggering 9 in 10 say The most dramatic difference between Mexican immi- that they came to the United States with “very little grants and other groups, whether in the survey or in money,” and they are more likely to cite the economy focus groups, is in the level of discrimination they as a problem than are other groups—important, con- perceive around them and against them. sidering the extremely high anxiety across the board. Three-quarters of Mexicans say that there is at least Mexican immigrants are different in other ways, some discrimination toward immigrants, 18 points some of which are likely to pose challenges in higher than other immigrants. The difference is American society. (See fact box on page 30) For one, even more dramatic when asked about discrimina- the language problem among Mexican immigrants is tion toward people from their birth country. Some 73 a significant one. They are far more likely to say that percent of Mexicans say that there is at least some dis- they could not speak English when they first came to crimination toward people from their birth country, the United States. Fully 75 percent say they did not 42 percentage points higher than other immigrants. speak English at all, compared with 33 percent of other, non-Mexican immigrants. And of those who

29  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Fact Box on Mexicans Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

Based on the survey sample: ++ Three out of ten Mexicans came to the United States ++ Fifty-nine percent of Mexicans report having incomes after 2001 (comparable to other immigrants). under $25,000. Twenty-seven percent report incomes under $15,000. Compare this with 33 ++ Twenty-seven percent of Mexicans are citizens, a percent of other immigrants reporting under $25,000 smaller number than other groups. and 18 percent under $15,000. ++ Thirty-three percent of Mexicans are undocumented, ++ Forty-five percent of Mexicans report having no a greater number than other groups. health insurance, compared with 20 percent of ++ Mexicans break down by political party affiliation other immigrants. much as other immigrants do: 12 percent Republican, ++ Thirty-three percent have received food stamps, 39 percent Democrat, 24 percent Independent. compared with 16 percent of all other immigrants. ++ Fifty-six percent of Mexicans report not having a high school diploma, compared with 17 percent of other immigrants. Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

In the focus groups, particularly an Atlanta group Mexicans are more likely to perceive that was conducted in Spanish with recent Mexican discrimination but not experience it personally immigrants, participants offered many stories Would you say that there is a great deal, some, only about police harassment. No wonder, perhaps, that a little or no discrimination in the United States today Mexicans who have been in the United States since against the following: at least 2000 are more likely to say that immigration Percent who say a great deal or some: laws have become stricter since the September 11 Mexicans:  Great deal  Some terrorist attacks (90 percent) and that elected offi- All other immigrants:  Great deal  Some cials don’t care about them much (84 percent).

Yet Mexicans are no more likely to report experiencing Immigrants discrimination themselves than are other immigrants. 32% 43% 75% Nearly a quarter, 24 percent, say they have personally 18% 39% 57% experienced either a great deal or some discrimination simply because they are an immigrant (7 percent say “a great deal”). Immigrants from your birth country Even though greater numbers of Mexicans are undoc- 34% 39% 73% umented compared with other immigration groups, and even greater numbers report that most of the 7% 24% 31% immigrants they know are illegal, their perception of personal discrimination is virtually the same as for other groups. You personally* 7% 16% 24% 10% 16% 26%

0 20 40 60 80 100%

*Note: This difference is not statistically significant.

31  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

Mexican immigrants are even more likely to cite Compared with Mexicans, other Latin American the practical side of citizenship. immigrants are more likely to speak English, less likely to be undocumented and less tied to their Fewer Mexican immigrants are citizens, and though birth country. seeking citizenship carries strong elements of commitment and pride, practical concerns were even stronger If you compare Mexican immigrants with those from among Mexicans than they were among other immi- Central and South America, there are several significant grants. This is less a question of attitudes than it is of differences. For one thing, Central and South American intensity. More Mexicans cite a number of practical immigrants are more likely to say their English is issues as “major reasons” to become a citizen than do “excellent” (15 percent compared with 5 percent other immigrants. for Mexicans) and twice as likely to speak English at home (13 percent compared with 5 percent). The ++ More Mexicans, 92 percent, cite the attainment of other Central and South American immigrants are also better legal rights as a major reason to become a much less likely to say they are undocumented (only citizen, compared with 72 percent of other immi- 14 percent compared with 33 percent of Mexicans) grants. Some 87 percent of Mexicans cite equal and dramatically more likely to say that most of the rights and responsibilities as a major reason. immigrants they know are here legally (69 percent ++ Nearly as many, 87 percent, cite not having to compared with only 38 percent of Mexicans). In addi- worry about immigration status as a major reason, tion, they are less likely to say that there is at least some compared with 62 percent of all other immigrants. discrimination against people from their birth country (34 percent compared with 73 percent of Mexicans). ++ Eighty-six percent of Mexicans cite the ease with which they are able to obtain certain jobs While other Latin Americans are just as likely as Mexicans as a major reason, compared with 62 percent to send money home regularly, they’re less likely than of other immigrants. Mexicans to phone home weekly (40 percent compared with 53 percent of Mexicans) and to spend a lot of time ++ Seventy-eight percent cite easier travel in and out with people from their home country (44 percent com- of the United States, compared with 59 percent of pared with 72 percent of Mexicans). other immigrants.

++ Sixty-nine percent of Mexicans say that the ability to bring other family members to the United States is a major reason, compared with 41 percent of other immigrants.

32  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

Mexicans are more likely to cite legal rights, immigration status and jobs as major reasons to become a citizen For each of the following, please tell me if it is a major reason for becoming a citizen:  Mexicans  All other immigrants

To Tohave have better better legal legal rights rights To Tomake make it easier it easier to travelto travel in in andand protections protections in thein the United United States States andand out out of theof the United United States States 92%92% 78%78% 72%72% 59%59%

SoSo you you would would not not have have to worryto worry aboutabout your your immigration immigration status status To Toshow show a commitment a commitment and and pride pride in beingin being an anAmerican American 87%87% 76%76% 62%62% 68%68%

To Tomake make it easier it easier to bringto bring other other To Tohave have equal equal rights rights and and responsibilities responsibilities familyfamily members members to thisto this country country 87%87% 69%69% 77%77% 41%41%

To Toqualify qualify for forgovernment government programs programs To Tomake make it easier it easier to getto get certain certain jobs jobs likelike Medicaid Medicaid or foodor food stamps stamps 86%86% 48%48% 62%62% 31%31%

To Toget get the the right right to voteto vote 85%85% 75%75%

00 20 20 40 40 60 60 80 80 100% 100% 0 0 20 20 40 40 60 60 80 80 100% 100%

33  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

Muslim immigrants in America do not feel disaffec- Fewer Muslims cite discrimination as an issue tion with the nation—far from it. If anything, their Would you say that there is a great deal, embrace of the United States and their expressions some, only a little or no discrimination of patriotism are stronger than those exhibited by in the United States today against: other groups. Muslims:  A great deal  Some One of the most striking facts about our subsample of All Others:  A great deal  Some Muslim immigrants is what isn’t happening. There’s been enormous political debate over the collision of the West with radical Islam, punctuated by September Immigrants 11, the war in Iraq and riots and turmoil in Europe. 3% 24% 27% Some worry that prejudice and government policy 23% 41% 64% might push Muslims into radicalism; others worry that we don’t do enough to protect the country from radicals hiding among the Muslim population. Immigrants from your home country Our research finds no signs that Muslim immigrants 4% 16% 20% are disaffected or detached from the rest of the United 16% States. In fact, our surveys suggest that Muslims grab 29% 45% on to American ideals even more firmly than other immigrants do—and that’s saying something. You personally* Six in ten Muslim immigrants (61 percent) report that 1% 25% 27% they’re “extremely happy” in the United States, compared with only 33 percent of other immigrants. A 10% 16% 26% stunning 92 percent of Muslims say that the United States will be their permanent home, compared with 69 percent among other immigrants. Muslims are 0 20 40 60 80 100% more likely to give the United States higher ratings than their birth country on key questions, such as having a free and independent media. (Seventy-nine percent say the United States does a better job on this compared with 54 percent of other immigrants.)

Our focus group with Middle Eastern immigrants,10 including a majority of Muslims, conducted in Detroit, Michigan, was by far the most overtly patriotic.

10 In the survey, Middle Eastern countries include Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and Turkey. * Note: This difference is not statistically significant.

34  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices Fact Box on Muslims

Based upon on the survey sample: ++ Three out of four Muslims immigrated before 2001. ++ Muslim education is comparable to that of the total immigrant sample. Twenty-four percent have at least ++ Fifty-seven percent of the Muslim sample came from a two-year degree, while 77 percent have graduated South Asia; 35 percent came from the Middle East. from high school. ++ Sixty-eight percent of Muslims are citizens; ++ Fifty-seven percent of Muslims made less than an additional 26 percent are legal residents. $25,000 a year. That’s 17 percent more in this ++ More than half, 55 percent, of Muslims are bracket than other immigrants. Democrats, slightly more than other immigrants (43 percent). Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

“My personal experience with American people When it comes to plans for reform, most immi- and with America, it’s very welcoming. I think grants strongly support bringing illegal or America respects you if you are a good person and undocumented immigrants into the mainstream, hard working.” including a guest worker program and a “path to - A man in the Detroit focus group citizenship” for illegal immigrants with a clean record. But one size does not fit all. Older immi- Perhaps most striking, given the debate over whether grants and those from certain regions of the world Muslims have been unfairly targeted in the “war on are more skeptical of these ideas. terror,” Muslims are also more likely to say there is no (or only a little) discrimination against immigrants in We tend to have one overarching debate about immigra- general in the United States (63 percent of Muslims tion in the United States, as if all immigrants came here compared with 32 percent of others). Only 19 percent for the same reasons and posed the same challenges. of Muslims say there is at least some discrimination Obviously that’s not the case. Our study reveals a lot against people from their birth country compared of common ground in the immigrant experience and with 35 percent of all other immigrants, and 1 percent deeply held values that cut across all kinds of people. of Muslims say that they have experienced a great But the tech worker isn’t the same as the day laborer, deal of personal discrimination while 25 percent say and the political refugee may have quite different con- they’ve experienced some discrimination. cerns from those of the family trying to reunite.

The Muslim sample in our survey overwhelmingly The immigrants in our survey reflect this: Certain hailed from two regions of the world: South Asia values and reform proposals, like a guest worker and the Middle East, both of which, of course, have program and a procedure to allow illegal immi- substantial non-Muslim populations.11 Examined by grants to become citizens, have considerable support region, there are some significant differences as well. among immigrants overall. But immigrants aren’t South Asians and Middle Easterners are by far the monolithic when it comes to the immigration debate. most likely to come to the United States knowing how What they think about government policy depends to speak English well, with 70 percent of South Asians on who they are. and 76 percent of Middle Easterners who came here For example, one of the fiercest debates is over undoc- knowing little or no English saying their English is umented or illegal immigration. Surveys of the general good or excellent. South Asians are also more likely public consistently find that Americans take a much than any group except Mexican immigrants to phone harsher view of illegal immigration than the legal home regularly (50 percent, compared with 40 percent variety. For example, a Gallup survey in 2008 found overall and 28 percent of Middle Easterners).

11 In the survey, South Asian countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka.

36  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

that 64 percent of Americans believed that immigration is generally a “good thing” for the country. But only 31 percent in the same survey say illegal immigrants “in the long run become productive citizens and pay their fair share of taxes.” Nearly two-thirds say they cost the government too much.12

Immigrants overall, however, firmly take the opposite view. When we asked the same question in our survey, 57 percent replied that illegal immigrants do become productive citizens, a finding that may drive attitudes on other questions. But the results depend very much on the immigrant’s own background.

Not surprisingly, of course, undocumented immigrants themselves are much more likely to believe this (74 percent). So do 72 percent of Mexican immigrants. It’s perhaps significant that Mexicans report having more contact with undocumented immigrants, with more than half saying most of the immigrants they know are here illegally.

Fewer immigrants from other backgrounds share this positive view of illegal immigrants. For example, 48 percent of South Asian and Middle Eastern immigrants say that illegal immigrants become productive citizens, while only 39 percent of East Asian immigrants agree. Immigrants older than 50 are also less likely to say this.

12 Visit PublicAgenda.org for more details, http://publicagenda. org/charts/people-are-divided-whether-immigrants-become-productive-citizens-or-if-they-cost-taxpayers-too-much-using-government. Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

The majority of all Americans are more likely to see illegal immigrants as a burden on public services in recent years Which comes closer to your point of view: — Illegal immigrants in the long run become productive citizens and pay their fair share of taxes — Illegal immigrants cost the taxpayers too much by using government services like public education and medical services

100%

68% 63% 66% 57% 60 56%

49% 47% 48%

45% 44% 40 40% 37% 36% 29% 31% 25% 0

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

Source: Gallup Poll

38  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

Overall, immigrants see illegal immigrants Such attitudes tend to influence views on other ques- as productive citizens in the long run tions of public policy. Immigrants in general strongly support a “path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants. Which comes closer to your point of view? Seven in ten (72 percent) say that the government should offer a way for illegal immigrants with no criminal record and who have shown a commit- 12% ment to the United States to become citizens. Only 21 percent oppose that policy, saying it would “reward people who broke the law.” Mexicans and other Latin Americans are even more likely to support a path to 31% 57% citizenship, at 84 percent for Mexicans and 81 percent for other Latin Americans.

Support among other groups is lower, with 62 percent of Middle Easterners, 54 percent of East Asians and 48 percent of South Asians in favor. Support also declines as people grow older: 85 percent of 18–to– 57% Illegal immigrants in the long run 29-year-olds favor the path to citizenship, but only become productive citizens and 56 percent of those 65 and older do. pay their fair share of taxes 31% Illegal immigrants cost the taxpayers too In our focus groups, we heard skepticism regarding much by using government services like recent immigrants from a number of participants public education and medical services who’d been in the country for some time. There was 12% Don’t know/refused resistance to the idea of deporting illegal immigrants who were already here but also an interest in keeping “bad elements” out of the country.

Again, the survey found that these views were in some part determined by age. Indeed, the older immigrants get, the more skeptical they become. Immigrants under age 30 overwhelmingly (81 percent) say that recent immigrants have the same respect for American law and customs, but only 6 in 10 between the ages of 31 and 49 say this. That number falls to just more than 4 in 10 (43 percent) for those older than 65.

39  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices

Younger immigrants are more likely There’s a similar pattern in survey questions on to believe that illegal immigrants whether the United States is too open to immigration. become productive citizens In our survey, a quarter of all immigrants say that the United States is too open to immigrants, while only 17 Which comes closer to your point of view? percent say the country is too closed. Fifty percent say  Illegal immigrants in the long run the United States “strikes the right balance.” But immi- become productive citizens and pay their fair share of taxes grants over age 65 are significantly more likely to say that the United States is too open, at 37 percent.  Illegal immigrants cost the taxpayers too much by using government services like Among the most fiercely debated policy proposals of public education and medical services the past few years has been that of a “guest worker” program, one that would allow temporary visas for 100% foreign workers. Surveys of the general public suggest that majorities back the idea of guest workers, though the results shift considerably based on how the questions are worded—always indicative of uncertainty among the public.13 80 Our survey found that immigrants overwhelmingly support a guest worker plan, with 84 percent 70% agreeing (and 61 percent agreeing strongly with the proposal). But South Asians (75 percent), Middle 60% Easterners (76 percent) and East Asians (69 percent) 60 were less likely to favor this. Mexicans were even more supportive, with 92 percent in favor and 73 48% percent strongly in favor.  46%

40 36% 31% 32% 26%

13 For specific examples of survey questions about guest workers, 0 visit Public Agenda’s Web site at: http://www.publicagenda.org/ 18–29 30–49 50–64 65+ charts/majorities-americans-support-guest-worker-program-illegal- immigrants-results-vary-based-question-wording.

40  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Part 3 : Common Threads, Different Voices Methodology Methodology

A Place to Call Home is based on a telephone survey uti- Sample Design lizing both landline and cellular telephones. Respondents The study employed a dual-frame landline/cell phone include a representative sample of 1,138 foreign-born telephone design. According to both the 2009 National adults 18 years and older who currently live in the Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the General United States and came to the United States at the age of Social Survey (GSS), 22 percent of foreign-born 5 or older. The survey was preceded by six focus groups residents of the United States do not own a landline conducted in sites across the country as well as 12 in- telephone but do own a cell phone. Consequently, depth interviews with immigration experts in academia, the cell phone portion of the sample was included to public policy, law and community outreach. better represent immigrant households. A total of 159 Telephone Survey interviews were completed via cell phone.

Telephone interviews were conducted from April 23, A disproportionate stratified sample design that 2009 through June 7, 2009. The interviews averaged combined random-digit dial (RDD) sample with 31 minutes in length. The response rate for the study listed sample (supplied by Ethnic Technologies, or was 25 percent. E-Tech, a leading provider of multicultural marketing lists, ethnic identification software and ethnic data The survey was offered in both English and Spanish. appending services) was used in this study to increase Four hundred seventy-one interviews were conducted the incidence of households with foreign-born adults with Spanish-speaking respondents. from specified heritages and oversample persons of Throughout the survey, special efforts were taken to South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern and Central/ make the interview process comfortable for immi- South American heritage. Thirty-eight percent of grants for whom English is, at best, a second language. interviews completed came from this sample. The Interviewers received enhanced training in order to RDD sample utilized strata of areas known to have sensitize them to the particular challenges of speaking a high incidence of individuals of South Asian, East with non-native English speakers regarding potentially Asian, Middle Eastern and Central/South American anxiety-provoking issues. Survey questions were exten- heritage, but no strata was excluded from the sample sively pretested to reduce the overall wordiness of the design. The landline portion of the study employed instrument and improve question clarity. In addition, an open design, meaning that as long as their heritage language was used to assure respondents that their quota was open, anyone who was eligible would be information and responses would be kept confidential. asked to complete the study regardless of the strata in which they reside. Cell phone completes were not The margin of error for the report is plus or minus 5.4 subject to heritage quotas. percentage points. However, it is higher when comparing subgroups or question items that weren’t asked of all respondents.

43  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Methodology

Questionnaire The Focus Groups

The questionnaire was designed by Public Agenda, Focus groups allow for an in-depth, qualitative and all interpretation of the data reflected in this exploration of the dynamics underlying the public’s report was done by Public Agenda. As in all surveys, attitudes toward complex issues. Insights from par- question order effects and other nonsampling sources ticipants in these focus groups were important to the of error can sometimes affect results. Steps were taken survey design, and actual quotes were drawn from to minimize these, including pretesting the survey the focus groups to give voice to attitudes captured instrument and randomizing the order in which some statistically through the surveys. Six focus groups question and answer categories were read. were conducted as follows:

The interviewing was conducted by International ++ A mix of immigrants from different countries Communications Research (ICR) in conjunction with and backgrounds in New York, NY; Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) in Media, PA. ++ Hispanic immigrants in Atlanta, GA, conducted in Spanish; Weighting Procedures ++ Hispanic immigrants in Los Angeles, CA, Survey data were weighted to (1) adjust for the fact that conducted in Spanish; not all survey respondents were selected with the same probability, and (2) account for gaps in coverage and ++ Asian immigrants in San Francisco, CA; nonresponse biases in the survey frame. Weights were ++ Immigrants from Middle Eastern countries applied to balance heritage, age, years in the United in the greater Detroit, MI, area; and States, education, region and gender. The overall design effect of the weighting procedure is 3.46. ++ Immigrants making more than $75,000 a year in Boston, MA.

The Experts

Prior to conducting the focus groups and the telephone survey, Public Agenda interviewed 12 immigration experts to obtain grounding in the current substantive issues concerning immigrants in the United States. Experts were guaranteed anonymity to ensure their complete cooperation with the study. 

44  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America 

survey resultsandnumbersinthereport. total 100 percent due to rounding. Combining answer categories may produce slight discrepancies between numbers in these Results of less than 0.5 percent are signified by an asterisk. Results of zero are signified by a dash. Responses may not always andJune7, Interviewswereconductedbetween April23,2009 Eastern andCentral/SouthAmericanheritage. 2009. Middle Asian, East Asian, South from adults foreign-born with households of incidence the increase to sample listed and the United States at the of age 5 or older. The study employed a hybrid, stratified design that combined random digit dialing a representative sample of 1,138 foreign-born adults, 18 years and older who currently live in the United States and came to A Place to Call Home is based on a telephone survey, utilizing both landline and cellular telephones. Respondents include happy orgenerallydisappointedwithlifeintheUnitedStates? 1. Overall, wouldyousay thatyouareextremelyhappy, somewhat the UnitedStatestoday? [BASE:Openended.] problemfacing 2. Whatdoyouthinkisthemostimportant Don’t know None/no problems Other Language Don’t know Generally disappointed Somewhat happy Extremely happy Education Terrorism Discrimination/racism Immigration problems/policies Aspects offoreignrelations War/want peace Health care/insuranceaffordability/availability Government/legislation Decaying socialvalues/other socialproblems Unemployment Aspects oftheeconomy  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 46 n=1,138 Total 05 1 46718 7 54 24 52 6 40 56 14 32 38 12 45 5 50 53 35 10 40 53 34 01 41 12 15 37 29 45 21 43 11 38 14 40 16 48 20 42 % 2 6 7 6 6 2 5 256125 2 1 6 5 12 4 2 1 1 1 5 5 2 – * 1 – 2 – 1 * 1 * 6 2 2 1 * * 1 2 2 1 1 3 * 3 – 4 2 * 2 4 7 2 2 4 4 * 11 1 1 3 8 1 1 8 * 1 2 5 2 7 2 * 4 * * * 4 4 1 – 2 6 1 2 11 2 1 2 1 3 12 4 2 4 3 5 6 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults 3. Asthingsstandnow, isitMOSTlikely: 4. Ifyoucoulddoitagain, wouldyouchoose: before you felt comfortable here and a part ofthecommunity? hereandapart before youfeltcomfortable intheUnitedStates,5. Whenyouarrived howlongdidittake you come with very littlemoney inyourpocket? you comewithvery did or started you get to money of amount good a have you did country, this to came first you When 6. 7. Whichofthesetwostatementscomesclosertoyourown view? Don’t know That you willmove someplaceelsetolive where youin thecountry were born That someday you willgo backtolive That theUnitedStateswillbeyour home permanent Don’t know To tolive in pickadifferentcountry To where stay you inthecountry were born To cometotheUnitedStates Don’t know I have never feltlike Ifitin 10 years ormore 5 tojustunder10years 2 tojustunder5years 1 tojustunder2years Don’t know Very littlemoney A good amountofmoney Don’t know that isnobetterorworse thanany other The UnitedStatesisjustanothercountry stands forsomthingspecialintheworld that The UnitedStatesisauniquecountry  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 47 n=1,138 Total 041 3710 7 16 13 71 19 3 68 21 15 63 15 4 81 11 10 71 16 77 17 70 91 442 825 65 18 75 26 68 4 82 14 74 16 75 19 71 02 73 33 30 46 31 48 23 57 35 50 37 33 24 56 30 47 66 56 19 62 34 91 6 81 12 60 37 75 22 60 38 76 20 081 31 918 29 76 19 70 13 80 17 82 8 76 20 87 76 % 3 6 3 2 1 3 3 3 8 1 6 2 4 4 9 8 5 4 5 3 6 4 6 2 3 4 8 2 4 4 10 1 2 5 10 1 4 7 4 4 11 2 11 9 3 5 5 5 9 3 1 4 3 2 2 2 4 1 * 4 7 4 3 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries earn agood living?” earn France would be asked the question: “Do you think the United States or France does a better job when it comes it to… having more opportunity to (six respondents, or 0.5 percent of those surveyed), in which case they were asked to refer to their “home country.” For example, someone from 14 care alot, alittleornotatall? about the issues facing immigrants—do you think they 8. How much do you think America’s elected officials care 9. Whichcomesclosertoyourview, even ifneitherisexactlyright: when itcomestothatitem, orifthey areaboutthesame. whereyouwere doesabetterjob born the UnitedStatesorcountry For eachofthefollowingitemsthatIread, pleasetellmeifyouthink 10. Differentcountrieshave theirownadvantagesanddisadvantages. In the survey, respondents were asked specifically about the country in which they were born unless they declined to specify their home country Don’t know Not atall A little Care alot Don’t know need tohave connectionstopeoplewho canhelpyou In ordertobesuccessfulintheUnitedStatesyou work hard, even ifyou donothave connectionstohelpyou It ispossibletobesuccessfulintheUnitedStatesifyou Having alegal systemyou cantrust… agoodHaving toearn living… moreopportunity Don’t know They’re aboutthesame where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates Don’t know They’re aboutthesame where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 14 48 n=1,138 Total 51 61 18 40 19 37 65 16 13 66 6 15 36 3 44 47 17 37 37 15 40 53 26 52 83 53 37 63 36 35 63 36 63 38 63 26 58 35 73 63 31 81 92 28 28 61 19 70 16 77 82 18 67 96 15 68 87 23 83 85 70 80 91 88 % 31 6 3 3 13 13 6 6 * 1 2 * 4 2 1 1 2 11 3 – * 4 1 15 3 2 3 2 13 * * 1 11 8 4 * * 2 14 1 2 5 13 5 1 6 2 1 9 2 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults Letting peoplepracticethereligionthey choose… Having ahigherstandardofmorality… as well offreeexpression… asforms Having afreeandindependentmedia Being agood placetoraisechildren… Having agood educationsystem… Making good healthcareavailable… Don’t know They’re about thesame Home country/the country where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates Don’t know They’re aboutthesame where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates Don’t know They’re aboutthesame Home country/the country where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates Don’t know They’re aboutthesame where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates Don’t know They’re aboutthesame where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates Don’t know They’re aboutthesame where you country were born Home country/the The UnitedStates  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 49 n=1,138 Total 05 62 86 44 64 58 24 26 51 50 44 86 53 41 36 35 69 68 43 44 12 52 24 25 25 40 47 11 32 47 17 25 45 14 25 52 10 25 58 22 31 49 16 49 42 03 740 47 36 20 7 27 34 56 77 44 45 41 54 22 34 70 26 43 8 87 29 66 19 21 65 10 47 18 25 31 55 60 20 61 5 10 23 63 38 69 21 16 18 18 28 54 25 40 18 19 18 54 13 4 63 55 14 12 76 21 71 15 11 7 70 23 67 26 14 15 64 62 16 18 64 9 16 72 15 67 % 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 14 – 5 6 2 5 5 4 1 5 9 5 4 4 * 3 2 1 2 1 2 15 9 7 9 4 7 9 1 – 5 * 3 * 1 2 1 4 1 1 2 2 3 * 2 1 4 1 2 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries important eachthingisforimmigrantstodo: important 11. Onthislistofitems, pleasetellmehow born—a lot,born—a some,few ornone? very how manywhereyouwere wouldyousay comefromthecountry 12. Thinkingaboutthepeopleyouknowandspendtimewith, a few timesamonth, afew timesayear or lessthanthat? whereyouwere least onceaweek, born—at or friendsinthecountry 13. Inthepastyear, abouthowoften have youtelephonedfamily . To volunteer sometimetocommunityservices… d. b. . To work andstay offwelfare… c. Don’t know Not important Somewhat important Extremely important To respectpeoplefromdifferentracialorethnicbackgrounds… Don’t know Not important Somewhat important Extremely important Don’t know Not important Somewhat important Extremely important Don’t know None Very few Some A lot Don’t know Less thanthat A few timesayear A few timesamonth At leastonceaweek  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 50 n=1,138 Total 361 81 016 81 10 89 14 84 18 78 19 74 6 86 13 83 51 42 62 30 66 29 56 16 70 20 74 24 61 19 62 25 63 23 03 93 43 42 37 58 39 56 38 50 60 32 32 63 42 50 42 62 01 31 25 14 38 12 30 72 21 24 44 32 26 29 26 24 46 28 24 45 21 51 581 11 30 6 7 34 15 31 14 24 22 53 21 24 22 40 18 22 22 28 8 36 9 25 15 31 15 50 28 40 % * 3 * * – 1 1 3 4 3 1 7 1 2 03343 1 4 10 3 10 3 3 10 4 5 14 5 7 2 13 1 3 1 5 1 11 6 3 1 4 2 6 * 6 1 1 3 1 5 10 * 2 * 3 1 3 * 2 – * – 1 1 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults you were Doyoudothisregularly, born? onceinawhileornotatall? where 14. Howoftendoyousendmoney tofamilylivinginthecountry good job or do well in this country without learning English? withoutlearning good jobordowell inthiscountry 15. Inyourview, isiteasyorhardfornew immigrantstogeta English atallwhenthey cametotheUnitedStates.] [BASE: Asked ofthosewhoknew alittleEnglishordidnotspeak or yournativelanguage, ordoyouspeakthembothaboutthesame? 17. WhichdoyouspeakMOSTofthetimeinyourhome—English speak Englishatall? know howtospeakEnglishwell, didyouknowalittle, ordidyounot cametotheUnitedStateslive,16. Whenyoufirst didyoualready Don’t know Not atall Once inawhile Regularly Don’t know Very hard Somewhat hard Somewhat easy Very easy Some otherlanguage Both aboutthesame Native language English Don’t know Did notspeakEnglishatall Knew alittle Already knew how tospeakEnglishwell  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 51 n=1,138 Total 73 67 82 53 31 16 24 52 23 28 47 24 78 20 1 46 41 9 31 55 37 14 44 18 24 54 85 52 19 18 51 39 6 58 32 6 46 39 10 55 30 8 44 37 52 13 32 10 13 84 91 27 34 39 15 81 5 19 67 42 13 23 21 28 35 58 24 55 75 38 14 46 25 – 73 21 16 64 21 27 6 14 34 21 37 60 4 19 33 45 61 31 24 % * * 1 1 3 – 1 – – * – – – – – – * 2 5 * * 1 6 1 * 4 3 3 4 1 2 3 2 3 4 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries English atallwhenthey came toUnitedStates.] [BASE: Asked ofthosewhoknew alittleEnglishordidnotspeak 18. Have youever taken classestoimprove yourEnglishskillsornot? not speakEnglishatallwhenthey cametoUnitedStates.] [BASE: Asked ofthosewhoknew alittleEnglish ordid Do youthinkitisexcellent, good, fairorpoor? 19. Howwell wouldyousay youspeakEnglishnow? individual todecideforthemselves? who don’t it, speakEnglishtolearn orshouldthisbeleftuptoeach 21. DoyouthinkthattheUnitedStatesshouldexpectallimmigrants not speakEnglishatallwhenthey cametoUnitedStates.] [BASE: Asked ofthosewhoknew alittleEnglish ordid well,in Englishvery prettywell, justalittleornotatall? 20. Would yousay youcanreada newspaper orbook No, have never taken Englishclasses Yes, have taken Englishclasses Don’t know Poor Fair Good Excellent Don’t know Should beleftuptoeachindividualdecide United StatesshouldexpectallimmigrantsEnglish tolearn Don’t know Not atall Just alittle Pretty well Very well  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 52 n=1,138 Total 02 91 43 28 72 34 66 34 66 19 81 19 81 28 72 30 70 6*1 13 15 28 36 31 25 42 31 15 5 36 3 15 15 20 14 49 28 42 * 33 9 29 26 42 38 28 22 13 03 11 65 28 70 52 44 46 7 52 12 86 20 21 41 21 52 16 49 51 30 13 65 1 38 17 40 18 56 23 * 27 17 41 58 – 39 18 20 13 19 39 62 20 28 % 2 4 1 * 1 – 8 – 3 – 3 – * – – 1 * – 1 * * n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults is it more important forthepublicschools: is itmoreimportant 23. Whenitcomestostudentswhoarenew immigrants, under 18inhousehold.] oldornot?[BASE:Asked18 years ofthosewhohave children 24. Areyoutheparentofany ofthesechildrenwhoareunder no childrenundertheageof18intheirhousehold.] [BASE: Asked ofthosewholivealoneorhave middle and/orhighschoolintheUnitedStates? 24a. Doyouhave any childrenwhowent toelementary, in theUnitedStates.] or whohave childrenwhowent toelementary, middleorhighschool [BASE: Asked ofthosewhohave childrenunder18inhouseholds 25. Were any intheUnitedStatesornot? ofthesechildrenborn have childrenunder18inhousehold.] whereyouwere [BASE:Asked born? ofthosewho to liveinthecountry 26. Howlikely doyouthinkitisthatany ofthesechildrenwould want Don’t know if thismeansittakes themlonger English tolearn To teachthemothersubjectsintheirnative language even means they fallbehindinothersubjects To teachthemEnglishasquicklypossible, even ifthis No, notaparentofchild/childrenunder18years old Yes, parentofchild/children under 18years old No Yes Don’t know Very unlikely Somewhat unlikely Somewhat likely Don’t know No, intheUnitedStates childrennot born Yes, intheUnitedStates childrenborn Very likely  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 53 n=1,138 Total 11 11 22 25 70 21 22 75 10 72 21 88 19 74 21 74 74 62 11 32 26 74 28 72 33 66 16 84 11 89 25 74 26 74 28 84 86 53 47 64 36 58 42 44 56 68 32 80 20 62 38 84 24 45 62 19 10 57 13 20 54 20 17 43 28 17 72 20 10 78 5 44 14 19 86 58 19 20 16 80 16 39 61 30 70 21 79 20 79 % 5 5 6 2 5 7 5 17422 2 4 7 11 2 4 635187 8 3 1 – 5 – 3 – 16 – 7 – 1 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries child’s friendsaremorelikely tobechildrenofimmigrants] ornot? [BASE:Asked ofparents whose country children fromyourbirth 29. Would yousay thatoverall, yourchildtendstoassociatewithother of 18inhousehold] States orbothaboutequally?[BASE:parentsofchildrenunderthe age be childrenofimmigrants, childrenwhoseparentsarefromtheUnited 28. Would yousay thatoverall, yourchild’s friendsaremorelikely to elementary, middle, orhighschoolintheU.S.] [BASE: Total respondents whohave childrenwhowent to 27a. Overall, howwell wouldyousay yourchildspeaksEnglish? the ageof18inhousehold] English? [BASE: Asked of all parents of children under 27. Overall, how well would you say your child speaks Don’t know No Yes Don’t know Both aboutequally Children whose parentsarefromtheUnited States Children ofimmigrants Don’t know Poor Fair Good Excellent Don’t know Poor Fair Good Excellent  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 54 n=1,138 Total 61 25 18 82 7 64 53 47 42 55 34 58 8 94 1 92 18 76 4 82 26 64 68 30 67 18 70 26 76 14 41 21 279 89 7 89 22 77 12 88 22 21 78 78 18 24 82 57 14 25 84 57 7 82 20 72 14 82 21 67 % 9– 29 – – – – – – – 3 6 8 * 1 8511 5 18 2 7 4 8 1 – – – – – * 1 4 1 * – 4 – 2 – 5 1 1 2 2 1 – – 15 2 13 6 – – 7 2 1 1 8 – – – – – – – n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults school intheU.S.] have childrenwhowent toelementary, middle, orhigh you gotathis/herage?[BASE:Total Respondentswho it was better, oraboutthesameas education worse his/her elementary, middleorhighschool, doyouthink 31a. Thinkingabouttheeducationyourchildgotat the ageof18inhousehold] or highschool?[BASE:Asked ofparentschildrenunder enrolledinelementary,30. Isyourchildcurrently middle currently enrolledinelementary,currently middle, orhighschool.] of childrenundertheage18inhouseholdwhoare education yougotathis/herage?[BASE:Asked ofparents do youthinkitisbetter, oraboutthesameas worse 31. Thinkingabouttheeducationyourchildisgetting, Don’t know The same Worse Better Don’t know The same Don’t know Not applicable/inday care/notinschool High school Middle Elementary Worse Better  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 55 n=1,138 Total 05387618 37 6 11 43 8 7 75 13 8 81 28 52 3 13 30 69 5 21 11 80 10 16 65 23 12 14 36 24 16 25 22 47 27 24 16 32 50 34 33 18 26 17 34 34 28 42 33 30 57 06 38 65 85 63 66 80 72 75 % 72–1 – 2 27 – * 2 1 2 – – 2 – 1 361 145 4 21 – 10 18 – 6 5 – 13 8 – 8 16 – 6 1 7 * 9 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries middle, orhighschool] enrolledinelementary,under 18inhouseholdwhosechildiscurrently or don’t youknowenoughtosay? [BASE:Total parentsofchildren poor jobofteachingyourchildtospeakEnglishasquicklypossible, 32. Doyouthinkpublicschoolstoday doanexcellent, good, fairor high schoolintheU.S.] Respondents whohave childrenwhowent toelementary, middle, or as quicklypossible, ordon’t youknowenoughtosay? [BASE:Total excellent, good, fairorpoor jobofteachingyourchildtospeakEnglish 32a. Doyouthinkyourchild’s elementary, middleorhighschooldidan between ormorethan10years? 1and10years directly—hasitbeenlessthanayear,the U.S.ImmigrationServices 34. Abouthowmany hasitbeensinceyouhadtodealwith years Don’t know enoughtosay here/alreadyChild born spoke English Poor Fair Good Excellent Don’t know Don’t know enoughtosay here/alreadyChild born spoke English Poor Fair Good Excellent or anothergovernment agency I have noexperiencewiththeUSCIS More than10years Between 1and10years Less thanayear  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 56 n=1,138 Total 81 751 238 12 2 18 38 11 2 5 35 28 37 17 33 4 16 19 24 10 43 18 47 7 23 26 11 37 35 26 41 06430 39 4 6 6 3 18 12 30 18 8 57 2 29 6 60 10 21 23 38 14 33 17 42 3 64 22 40 83 84 64 43 17 24 43 30 7 26 45 12 49 30 6 38 34 30 16 39 38 26 32 15 % 9 6 3 7 5 2 5 20 * 6 1 3 2 4 20 3 * 11 1 8 2 41 5 12 14 8 – 7 1 – 3 15 9 * 1 – 2 – 17 – – * 6 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults who have dealtwithgovernmentimmigrationservices.] negative one, orsomewhere inthemiddle?[BASE:Asked ofthose anoverall positiveone,government immigrationservices anoverall 35. Asfarasyouremember, was yourexperiencedealingwith services 10 years agoorless.] 10years services [BASE: Asked ofthosewhohave dealtwithgovernmentimmigration 36. Ingeneral, doyouthinkthatgovernmentimmigrationworkers: services 10 years agoorless.] 10years services [BASE: Asked ofthosewhohave dealtwithgovernmentimmigration about immigrationandnaturalizationissuesfromthegovernment? 37. Inyourexperience, andanswers howhardisittogetinformation a littleornoneatall? against immigrantsintheUnitedStatestoday, some, only 38. Would yousay thereisagreatdealofdiscrimination Don’t know Somewhere inthemiddle Overall negative experience Overall positive experience r sal epcfladd hi ett epnwimgat 88 25 46 68 61 64 56 72 87 Don’t know 68 of theirway tohelpnew immigrants Are usuallydisrespectfulanddon’tgo out Are usuallyrespectfulanddotheirbesttohelpnew immigrants Refused Don’t know Very hard Somewhat hard Somewhat easy Very easy Don’t know None atall Only alittle Some A great dealofdiscrimination  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 57 n=1,138 Total 13 43 72 30 27 60 27 67 34 66 44 58 31 34 31 51 58 091 43 318 23 31 24 13 9 20 381 02 15 18 6 23 46 45 22 32 21 16 10 41 25 10 15 42 18 22 8 47 21 14 13 42 26 26 36 21 12 42 15 25 3 33 25 21 8 43 32 15 28 41 31 12 14 43 8 28 23 45 4 30 11 41 4 22 40 22 % 12233 3 6 2 3 2 5 11 6 1 10 4 17 7 41 14 9 5 19 14 4 9 3 1 6 8 – 8 * – 2 1 – 4 6 – 1 – 7 * 3 * 3 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries some, onlyalittleornoneatall? intheUnitedStatestoday, country against peoplefromyourbirth were born, wouldyousay thatthereisagreatdealofdiscrimination whereyou 39. Andnowthinkingonlyofimmigrantsfromthecountry some, onlyalittleornoneatall? simply becauseyouareanimmigrant—agreatdealofdiscrimination, 40. Andhowmuchdiscriminationhave experienced youpersonally ago or earlier andhave experiencedanyago orearlier personally discrimination.] [BASE: Asked ofthosewhocametotheUnitedStateslivefive years discriminated againstmore, lessoraboutthesameasbefore? 41. Andinthepastfiveyears, wouldyousay youhave been Don’t know None atall A little Some people fromyour country birth A great deal of discrimination against Don’t know None atall Only alittle Some A great dealofdiscrimination Don’t know The same Less More  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 58 n=1,138 Total 22 24 5344 27 3 18 9 22 25 39 25 34 43 23 17 11 22 22 35 7 21 30 43 1 22 30 28 2 28 15 83 54 93 46 33 9 37 39 39 16 34 47 15 15 25 25 35 37 27 36 38 15 35 16 73 93 32 55 36 8 22 46 32 43 39 16 37 39 12 39 51 7 32 49 37 16 44 17 % 11 412 1 14 10 11 4 6 22–* – 2 12 – 2 – 1 * 12 1 5 7 3 11 2 7 1 9 10 9 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults those who came to the United States to live five years agoorearlier.]those whocametotheUnitedStateslivefiveyears authorities andasked aboutyourimmigrationstatus?[BASE:Asked of 43. Inthepastfiveyears, have youbeenstopped by police orother any discrimination.][BASE:Answers areopenended.] did ithappen?[BASE:Asked ofthosewhohave experienced personally 42. Thinkingaboutthelasttimeyouwere discriminatedagainst, where Don’t know No Don’t Know Yes In apark Immigration offices/center/courts Airport Public transportation (bus,Public transportation subway, train, etc.) Medical provider (doctor’s office, clinic, hospital, etc.) Looking forajob/duringaninterview Government office(welfare office, SocialSecurityoffice, etc.) Restaurant At astore(mall, market, gas station, etc.) At someone’s house On thestreet Other At school Don’t know In your community At work  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 59 n=1,138 Total 59 99 79 93 91 8 97 94 3 99 5 98 6 95 31 22 11 12 16538 3 32 24 20 5 49 10 6 41 17 31 37 20 22 22 14 11 49 20 37 % – – – 5 – – * 7 9 2 – 1 – 1 – 2 – 5 * * * – * * * * – * – – * * – 3 * 4 – * 1 * 1 1 – 1 2 – 1 – 1 3 – 3 – * * * 2 * 4 5 3 6 1 10 5 9 3 6 13 2 * 1 2 1 9 1 6 7 1 – 13 – 2 – 8 2 2 – 1 1 5 1 7 6 1 2 * 3 10 * 3 5 4 5 8 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries more difficultyfindingor keeping housing, orhasitbeenaboutthesame? 44. Regardlessofyourimmigrationorcitizenshipstatus, have youhad you did not have the correct papers oravalidvisa? you didnothave papers thecorrect 45. Have youever hadtroublegettingajobbecause to theUnitedStateslivein2000orearlier.]: Since September11, doyoufeelthat[BASE:Asked ofthosewhocame 46. Thinkaboutimmigrantswhoobey thelaws andarehereLEGALLY. of thosewhocametotheUnitedStateslivein2000orearlier.] there beennochange, ordon’t youknowenoughtosay? [Base:Asked enforcing immigrationlaws sinceSeptember11, alittlestricter, has 47. Doyoufeelthatthegovernmenthasbecomealotstricterabout 50. WhatyeardidyoubecomeaU.S.citizen? Don’t know About thesame More difficulty Don’t know No Yes Don’t know The government isgivinglegal immigrants ahardertime? how ittreatslegal immigrants? The government hasnotchanged Don’t know enoughtosay No change A littlestricter A lotstricter Don’t know 2005-2009 2000-2004 1991-1999 1981-1990 1980 orearlier  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 60 n=1,138 Total 49 68 58 83 85 85 85 76 94 84 78 68 46 78 22 69 31 84 15 89 6 76 19 83 14 77 22 21 391 11 40 5 49 64 14 53 31 9 41 33 23 54 50 11 36 22 12 51 53 37 61 41 27 7 21 47 9 28 62 15 15 74 24 26 39 15 21 40 16 15 47 21 55 121 71 8 13 19 9 23 17 24 8 20 38 15 5 30 5 12 3 17 21 11 24 14 9 10 35 2 7 19 22 15 16 11 29 37 6 15 34 16 13 6 25 16 17 % 08679 8 7 7 6 5 8 3 10 2 15 4 7 7 * - 1 2 4 2 1 31 0236 3 2 20 14 23 8 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults or areyounotsure?[BASE:Asked ofU.S.Citizens.] or not,51. Areyoualsoacitizenofanothercountry you donotplantodo?[BASE:Asked ofnon-citizens] is itsomethingyouplantodointhefuture, orisitsomething intheprocessofbecomingaU.S.citizen,52. Areyoucurrently in thefuture.] of becomingacitizen, andthosewhoareplanningtobecomeacitizen (meant/means) toyou?[BASE:Asked ofcitizens, thoseintheprocess 53. WhichofthesebestdescribeswhatbecomingaU.S.citizen Don’t know Not sure No, notacitizenofanothercountry Yes, alsoacitizenofanothercountry Don’t know Do notplantodo Plan todointhefuture In theprocessofbecomingaU.S. citizen Don’t know Something notsoimportant Something practical Something necessary A dreamcometrue  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 61 n=1,138 Total 31 91 55 51 25 43 25 5 50 56 36 10 36 51 19 71 10 13 78 8 13 54 33 02 041 4 60 8 30 83 9 11 73 4 14 21 66 10 71 9 21 48 10 26 69 18 72 72 41 18 43 12 38 56 14 31 53 21 30 40 17 36 38 27 35 40 17 31 46 33 % – – 3 3 – – 1 091–6 – 1 9 10 5 4 1 1 * * 1 1 3 * 7 3 1 1 2 1 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries citizen/would thinkaboutifyouthoughtbecomingacitizen). reason ornotsomethingyou(thoughtaboutwhenwere becominga each reasonIread, pleasetellmeifit(was/is) amajorreason, aminor 54. Therearemany reasonsthatpeoplechoosetobecomecitizens. To show acommitmentandprideinbeingan American… To have betterlegal rightsandprotectionsintheUnitedStates… To get therighttovote… To have equalrightsandresponsibilities… Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 62 n=1,138 Total For 391 51 59 11 15 77 8 14 76 14 15 70 11 12 14 68 75 24 3 9 56 92 22 12 13 66 72 14 6 4 71 80 84 15 7 69 85 23 8 64 84 10 10 78 77 81 30 59 87 25 62 82 12 78 81 68 66 80 % 4 – 1 – 2 – 2 5 1 – 1 5 – 11 1 3 2 5 – 2 * 6 3 1 13 – * 2 5 7 – 11 1 * 2 10 6 – 2 5 5 9 2 – 7 – 1 * 9 * 9 – 8 1 5 * 9 1 10 – 2 3 3 7 1 11 – 1 5 4 9 7 1 8 2 9 2 16 2 11 * 18 9 8 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults like Medicaidorfoodstamps… To qualifyforgovernment programs To make it easier to bring other family members to this country… To make iteasiertotravel inandoutoftheUnitedStates… To make iteasiertoget jobs… certain So you would not have to worry about your immigration status… Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason Don’t know Do notwanttobeacitizen Not areasonatall Minor reason Major reason  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 63 n=1,138 Total 14 65 23 50 19 32 28 19 42 48 20 54 35 22 36 19 21 46 36 23 41 28 20 36 24 33 71 46 15 19 38 11 27 69 15 37 56 24 33 35 24 41 38 27 32 28 17 49 52 21 3818 20 8 60 12 13 78 13 11 68 16 22 68 23 20 48 23 15 55 17 65 52 81 8621 14 6 62 7 18 86 10 11 69 15 18 70 18 23 59 28 15 46 13 69 41 21 3719 16 7 63 6 13 87 10 11 72 17 22 67 22 16 49 20 14 60 13 69 % 2 1 3 4 7 2 3 1 – – – 1 2 1 * 1 2 4 4 2 2 – – – – 1 2 * 2 1 1 4 4 1 2 – – – – 1 2 * 2 * 2 3 4 2 2 – – 1 – 1 2 * 3 – 5 5 6 2 3 – – – – 1 2 * n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries 55. Pleasetellmeifyouagreeordisagreewitheachofthefollowing: and traditionsintheUnitedStates… It’s easyformetoholdonmyculture thepolicetoprotectmeandmyfamily… Icantrust to make it—nobody gives you anything forfree… hardinthiscountry A personhastowork very a mucheasiertimeintheUnitedStates… Immigrants who speakEnglishwell have Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 64 n=1,138 Total 061 212 12 17 60 2 25 59 36 7 15 56 20 17 66 5 17 33 6 62 45 4 24 26 65 10 61 30 6 27 59 57 14 12 20 68 77 30 9 6 45 79 14 10 10 75 80 23 15 61 79 14 22 80 58 14 7 80 82 13 12 84 76 12 84 16 77 15 81 14 81 % 3 8 1 3 2 3 2 * 5 6 1 2 4 4 1 1 6 4 2 2 8 5 6 4 * 2 2 4 4 2 8 1 4 4 * 3 1 – 2 4 3 2 4 3 2 8 1 1 10 3 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 5 – 6 3 – * 5 * 1 3 1 1 3 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults illegally andlive herewithoutgetting caught… It’s easyforimmigrants tocome totheUnitedStates who arenotwhite thanagainst immigrants who arewhite… There’s a lot more discrimination and prejudice against immigrants intheUnitedStatescan’torwon’tthat peopleborn do… The UnitedStatesneedsnew immigrants todothe jobs whatever ittakes inordertoget themselves elected… Most politiciansareprettymuchwillingtosay Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 65 n=1,138 Total 43 43 63 27 16 20 37 22 27 10 36 16 25 23 39 13 11 13 7 34 18 22 8 26 25 20 39 18 33 21 15 15 29 9 34 17 41 19 18 22 16 16 20 23 40 21 11 16 34 24 6 13 20 13 6 29 37 17 20 15 18 11 31 5 66 19 27 24 20 26 17 9 56 33 16 23 13 29 8 10 14 30 71 12 27 30 14 11 30 53 10 38 21 4 22 52 48 21 9 53 30 15 31 34 10 43 24 52 % 51 10 3 11 15 13 9 3 8 10 8 11 3 14 4 8 2 9 7 6 3 13 2 7 3 8 7 5 13 8 12 18 6 2 6 8 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries you knowintheUnitedStatesareherelegallyorillegally? 56. Inyourexperience, wouldyousay thatMOST oftheimmigrants services like publiceducationandmedicalservices? services or illegalimmigrantscostthetaxpayers toomuchby usinggovernment becomeproductivecitizensandpaylong run theirfairshareoftaxes, 57. Whichcomesclosertoyourpointofview—illegal immigrantsinthe or dothey have lessrespectforAmericanlaws andcustoms? for Americanlaws andcustomsasimmigrantslike you, 58. Doyouthinkthatrecentimmigrantshave thesamerespect Don’t know Most arehereillegally Most areherelegally Don’t know likegovernment publiceducationandmedicalservices services Illegal immigrants cost the taxpayers too much by using citizens andpay theirfairshareoftaxes Illegal immigrantsbecomeproductive inthelongrun Don’t know More respect Less respect Same respect  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 66 n=1,138 Total 761 31 223 68 52 38 18 69 13 81 11 81 6 87 27 64 182 0989 8 38 9 53 19 10 27 72 20 42 58 8 39 48 11 43 39 31 48 57 23 23 22 39 49 27 65 32 59 36 44 32 54 30 55 32 57 % 21 7 10 12 6 8 7 9 1 11 1 7 5 2 13 7 12 2 12 3 7 3 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults the rightbalanceinacceptingimmigrantsfromothercountries? closed toimmigrantsfromothercountries,strike ordoesourcountry istooopentoimmigrantsfrom othercountries,that ourcountry too 59. WhenitcomestoimmigrationintheUnitedStatesdoyouthink strike therightbalanceinacceptingimmigrantsfromothercountries? countries, tooclosedtoimmigrantsfromothercountries, ordothey that peopleinyourcommunityaretooopentoimmigrantsfromother 60. Whenitcomestoimmigrationinyourcommunity, doyouthink Don’t know immigrants fromothercountries Strikes therightbalanceinaccepting Too closedtoimmigrants fromothercountries Too opentoimmigrants fromothercountries Don’t know immigrants fromothercountries Strike therightbalanceinaccepting Too closedtoimmigrants fromothercountries Too opentoimmigrants fromothercountries  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 67 n=1,138 Total 05 24 75 44 14 58 33 21 47 16 23 42 19 13 42 35 14 58 32 4 50 33 17 25 181 01 16 7 56 6 11 55 23 20 10 54 17 16 12 48 18 7 8 43 35 14 11 61 31 5 54 26 13 22 % 21 049 4 10 10 12 5 8 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries non-citizens whowantlegallyintheUnitedStates? towork visato “guest worker”programthatwouldgiveatemporary 61. Doyouagreeordisagreewiththeproposaltocreatea 62. Whichcomesclosertoyourview even ifneitherisexactlyright? if ever, doyouandyourfamilylivefrompaycheck topaycheck? each paycheck, withalmostnothingleftover forsavings. Howoften, being abletopay regularbillsandotherexpenseswithmoney from D12. Somepeoplelivefrompaycheck topaycheck, whichmeansjust Don’t know Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’t know ofprogramsort would reward peoplewho broke thelaw The government shouldnotpursuesuchapolicysincethat commitment totheUnitedStatesbecomecitizens who don’thave acriminalrecordandhave shown astrong The government shouldprovide away forillegal immigrants Don’t know Never Hardly ever Sometimes Most ofthetime Always  APlace toCallHome: Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 68 n=1,138 Total 33 72 02 23 63 20 73 20 68 28 48 27 42 32 43 23 61 14 42 2922 9 73 12 84 29 81 34 62 45 54 21 48 72 53 52 23 9 4 25 12 17 5 26 36 7 23 27 22 29 21 20 25 29 19 9 11 31 21 27 10 18 15 11 29 10 18 6 30 19 21 % 7 6 1 4 2 2 3 6 2 8 14 2 8 15 8 7 14 3 5 7 3 29665 6 6 9 12 7 7 0 3 4 4 8 6 4 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Full SurveyResults Full SurveyResults which ofthesebestdescribesyou: D13. Whenitcomestohealthinsurance, or foodstampsnot? Supplemental NutritionAssistanceProgram, alsoknownasSNAP member ofyourfamilylivingwithyouever receivedmoney fromthe D14. Sinceyou’ve beenintheUnitedStates, have youorhasany from acharityorchurchintheUnitedStatesnot? with youever received any kindofdonationsorfreeservices D15. Have youorhasany memberofyourfamilyliving to anorganizationorchurchinyourcommunitynot? D16. Have youever volunteeredyourtimeorcontributed money Don’t know I have bothMedicareandprivate healthinsurance I have healthinsurancethroughMedicaid I have healthinsurancethroughMedicare I have nohealthinsurance I have private healthinsurance Don’t know No, have notreceived foodstamps Yes, have received foodstamps Don’t know fromacharityorchurch services No, have notreceived donationsorfree fromacharityorchurch services Yes, have received donationsorfree Don’t know No, have not Yes, have volunteered timeorcontributedmoney  APlace toCallHome:

Full SurveyResults What Immigrants Say Now AboutLifein America 69 n=1,138 Total 1431 81 13 9 10 17 10 18 51 45 11 10 32 32 9 3 31 15 18 56 4 10 6 67 11 21 10 66 27 46 79 47 16 91 9 64 33 71 26 75 25 84 14 90 10 77 21 49 79 99 97 96 89 97 87 99 94 52 54 04 30 70 45 55 40 57 45 54 25 75 23 76 35 64 % 4 7 2 0 1 3 3 6 2 1 1 3 2 3 – 3 1 – 1 1 1 – 1 3 2 3 1 7 1 2 0 12 1 1 5 – 0 1 0 0 – 0 n=202 %

South Asia n=194 %

East Asia n=158 %

Middle East

 n=269

% Central and South America n=140 %

Mexico n=175 %

Other countries Characteristics of the Sample Characteristics of the Sample

Sample % Gender* Male 51 Female 49 Age* 18-29 19 30-49 46 50-64 19 65 or older 13 Marital Status Married 58 Living as married 5 Divorced 5 Separated 6 Widowed 5 Single 20 Region* Northeast 23 Midwest 9 South 30 West 38 Decade of Entry* 2001–2009 26 1991–2000 24 1981–1990 18 1980 or before 26 Place of Birth* South Asia 10 East Asia 15 Middle Eastern 4 Central/South American [not including Mexicans] 19 Mexican 30 Race/Ethnicity* White 12 Black 8 Hispanic 49 Asian 26

* Survey data was weighted by heritage, age, years in the United States, education, region and gender in order to match current census data. For the analysis, these demographic characteristics were balanced to reflect the proportion of these groups naturally occurring in the U.S. population.

 A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Characteristics of the Sample Characteristics of the Sample

Sample % Citizen U.S. citizen 46 Legal resident, not a citizen 35 Undocumented immigrant 15 Education* Less than high school 29 High school graduate 27 Some college or trade school, no degree 11 Associate’s or two-year degree 7 Bachelor’s or four-year degree 14 Graduate/professional degree 11 Employment Status Employed full-time 46 Employed part-time 16 Retired 11 Not Employed 23 Income $15,000 or under 21 $15,001 to $25,000 20 $25,001 to $35,000 12 $35,001 to $50,000 10 $50,001 to $75,000 10 Over $75,000 15 Religious Affliation Buddist 4 Catholic 46 Hindu 4 Judaism 1 Muslim15 5 Other Christian 22 No religion 13 Party Affiliation Republican 13 Democrat 44 Independent 24

15 There are 124 Muslims in the sample before weighting.

 A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  About Carnegie Corporation of New York

Carnegie Corporation of New York was created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote “the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” For over 95 years the Corporation has carried out Carnegie’s vision of philanthropy by building on these two major concerns: international peace and advancing education and knowledge.

72  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  About Public Agenda

Founded in 1975 by social scientist and author Daniel Yankelovich and former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, Public Agenda works to help the nation’s leaders better understand the public’s point of view and to help average citizens better understand critical policy issues. Our in-depth research on how citizens think about policy has won praise for its credibility and fairness from elected officials from both political parties and from experts and decision makers across the political spectrum. Our citizen education materials and award-winning Web site, publicagenda.org, offer unbiased information about the challenges the country faces. Twice nominated for the prestigious Webby award for best political site, PublicAgenda.org provides comprehensive information on a wide range of policy issues.

Officers Board of Directors Daniel Yankelovich David Coleman Chairman and Co-Founder Founder, Student Achievement Partners, LLC

Lloyd Morrisett Philip Howard Chairman, Executive Committee Vice-Chairman, Covington & Burling and Founder, Common Good CO-FOUNDER Alice S. Huang Cyrus Vance (1917–2002) Senior Faculty Associate, Former Secretary of State California Institute of Technology

Honorary Members Ann Kirschner Peter G. Peterson University Dean, Macaulay Honors College Chairman, Peter G. Peterson Foundation at the City University of New York

Sidney Harman Alan I. Leshner Former Chairman/CEO, Chief Executive Officer, American Association Harman International Industries, Inc. for the Advancement of Science

Bobby R. Inman David Mathews Admiral, U.S. Navy (retired) President, Charles F. Kettering Foundation Judith Davidson Moyers President, Public Affairs Television, Inc.

Deborah Wadsworth Senior Advisor, Public Agenda

Mitchel Wallerstein Dean, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University

73  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America  Acknowledgements

The authors of “A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America” would like to thank the following people for their support and assistance during the preparation of this report:

Our partners at the Carnegie Corporation of New York, especially Geri Mannion and Susan King, for providing us the opportunity to conduct this research and the freedom to explore the issues without constraint or bias;

Jean Johnson for her direction and assistance;

Steve Farkas and Ann Duffett, of the Farkas Duffett Research Group, for their consultation and guidance at the beginning stages of this research;

Samantha Dupont, who also contributed to this effort;

Shaheen Hasan and Melissa Feldsher for bringing our work to the attention of a broad audience;

Francie Grace, David White, Peiting Chen and Allison Rizzolo, of PublicAgenda.org, for producing a distinctive and highly informative online version of this report;

And Public Agenda President Ruth A. Wooden for her vision, insight and guidance.

74  A Place to Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life in America 

437 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 | T: 212.371.3200 | www.Carnegie.org

6 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016 | T: 212.686.6610 | F: 212.889.3461 | www.PublicAgenda.org