|
A Note from the Editors:
The Gallup Organization released a poll on the State of the Union with
intriguing information on public attitudes to immigration.
The Gallup Poll says
when asked about "the level of immigration into the country today,"
Americans responded as follows:
Total Satisfied Total Dissatisfied "Net Satisfied"
27% 65% -38%
In other words, according to this poll, 65% of Americans are dissatisfied
with the level of immigration into the country today.
When compared with Gallup surveys in previous years, the "Net Satisifed"
numbers, i.e. (% Satisfied) - (% Dissatisfied) are as follows:
2003 2002 2001
-38% -37% -23%
In other words, Americans are getting progressively more dissatisfied with
the level of immigration, according to the Gallup Polls.
At first glance, these numbers can be, and no doubt will be, taken to mean
that Americans think there is too much immigration, and that immigration
numbers need to be reduced. Think again.
Lets look at the fine print in the Gallup Organization's survey. Buried in
a footnote for this poll is this statement: " ... areas marked by a
partisan gulf in attitudes (with Republicans registering higher
satisfaction than Democrats) include the economy, energy, access to
affordable healthcare, the perceived state of race relations, the quality
of medical care, poverty and homelessness, and immigration." Lets read the
previous statement closely: Republicans are more satisfied than Democrats
about [the level of] immigration. If Republicans are more satisifed
than Democrats about the level of immigration today, and if Americans as a
whole are Dissatisfied about the level of immigration, Democrats must be dissatisfied with the level of immigration. In recent years, Democratic voters have
generally wanted higher levels of immigration than Republican voters (speaking generally, and by-and-large). The logical conclusion is that at least according to this Gallup survey, Americans today want the level of immigration to be raised.
We realize that this conclusion may sound counter-intuitive, but we are not
making up either the numbers or the fine print. All we have done is put
two-and-two together as above.
There is even more reason for cheer in this Gallup Poll - it says
"Attitudes toward immigration differ by age: 40% of 18- to 29-year-olds are
satisfied with the level of immigration today, but this drops to about 25%
among the middle-aged groups, and to 18% among those 65 and older." In
other words, younger Americans are more supportive of our current levels of
immigration, older Americans apparently are not. It is not entirely clear
to us whether this means that older Americans want more immigration or
less, but presumably, most will argue that older Americans want lower
immigration. This makes sense. Younger Americans realize that the Social
Security system towards which their taxes are being withheld will probably
not exist when they retire unless immigration continues.
The prelude to the State of the Union will no doubt feature spin-meisters
trying to paint this Gallup Poll as pointing to the need for reduced levels
of immigration. Don't believe it folks. Look at the poll, read the fine
print, and decide for yourself.
We welcome readers to send their comments to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.
Articles
The H-1B Series: Part 2 of 6 (Encore)
George N. Lester IV offers Part 2 of his comprehensive look of the H-1B program.
US Navy Too Needs Undocumented Labor
The Jacksonville Times-Union of Jacksonville, FL reports "Immigration officials have discovered dozens of illegal aliens working on the USS John F. Kennedy as the aircraft carrier undergoes renovations at Mayport Naval Station."
Why We Fight
Christopher Helt, Esq. writes about why we as Americans should remember not only the darker side of our laws but also our attitudes, then and now, towards immigrants which have changed dramatically since the September 11th attacks.
Test Time: How Well Do You Understand the Points System?
Gary Endelman quizzes readers on how well they understand the points system.
Taking The Discretion Out Of Discretion: INS Issues Interim Final Rule On 212(h) Waivers Of Inadmissibility
Christina B. LaBrie writes about the INS regulation on inadmissibility waivers under 212(h).
79,000 H-1B Visas Issued In FY 2002
Computerworld reports "The U.S. issued 79,100 H-1B visas last fiscal year, a sharp decline from the previous year and far short of the 195,000 cap or limit set by Congress, likely reflecting the state of the economy."
Foreign Visitors Overloading U.S. Hospitals
Jose Latour writes about the impact that uninsured foreign nationals are having on US hospitals, particularly in Florida and other high-immigration states.
Atty. Gen. Embarrassed At Registration Violation Of Prominent Journalist
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that at a meeting with the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Attorney General Ashcroft was embarrassed at the recounting of a NSEERS violation for a prominent journalist from Pakistan.
NSEERS Funding Cut-Off A Mistake By Sen. Kyl
The Washington Times reports "A spokesman for [Sen.] Kyl said the senator's focus in the amendment was to ensure there was sufficient funding for the broader tracking program and that the funding for the system was mistakenly cut off in the amendment."
Business To Lobby Against Visa Delays
The London Financial Times reports "US companies are preparing to lobby Congress to try to ease the impact of new visa restrictions they say are hampering their ability to win business abroad."
How Do I Bring My Fiancé(e) to the United States?
Read comprehensive answer from INS on how US citizens can bring their fiance(e) to live in the US.
ILW Highlights
Missed ILW.COM Live Seminars? Order Tapes!
Attorneys, paralegals, immigration professionals and immigrants! You can listen to cutting edge issues in immigration as per schedule convenient to you. Tapes for the H-1B, Labor Certification, Adjustment, INS/DOS/DOL, Family and many other Seminar Series can be ordered online for $199 per series. These seminars feature experts in the field such at Steve Yale-Loehr, Angelo Paparelli, Joel Stewart, Ron Klasko and many others. To read more details and place your order, please click here.
Letters to Editors
To write to Editors, send emails to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.
Dear Editor,
America ss the greatest country on earth. I firmly believe this.
I also believe in the words I recited in the pledge of
allegiance "liberty and Justice for all".
We are still being affected by 911, the terrorist are
winning, How you ask? There are many injustices being
done, the witch hunt has begun, INS is rounding up the immigrants
and deporting them, families are being broken up, especially if
you are married to an Arabic person, no one has the time of day for
you. So the terrorists are winning.
Our country is being blinded by fear and prejudices.
The immigrants make up our economy, they work, spend money,
and build their lives here. Also think of those who were deported,
how their countries feel about America throwing them out like
trash with no human rights. They are in jail months at a time, costing us
tax payers thousands of dollars. What crime have they committed?
Their only crime is wanting to live in America.
So how or when will these be stopped?
I myself want my
husband back, he was deported. He never committed any crime,
and now our family is suffering severe hardships, my girls need
their father.
Carma
Dear Editor,
I have gone for my interview at the INS in Baltimore regarding my petition
for Adjustment of Status, however additional information was requested which
I quickly submitted. I received a letter stating that the requested
information was received. My lawyer has advised me that the
President/Attorney General has put a "freeze" or moratorium on the issuance
of green cards or the general processing of applications, for any type of
relief/benefit. If this is the case, why is it not publicly known or printed
in news or the INS website, also how long is this "freeze"? Is the "freeze"
as a result of DHS which is scheduled to open March 1, 2003 to begin
operations or could it be that most applications could be pending much
longer until all the logistics and restructuring at the DHS occurs.
Troy Evans
Immigrant Life
Take a Quiz
Q. What is the capital of Nebraska?
- Omaha
- Lincoln
- Sioux City
This week's chat schedule
Classifieds
For information on advertising in the classifieds please click here.
Now Available – Health Insurance Specifically Designed for
Immigrants
Health Care in America is Expensive! Could you afford to pay $6,500 a day
for a hospital stay? Could you afford a $3,000 emergency room visit? If
not, you may want to consider getting health insurance. Insurance Services
of America specializes in health insurance for visitors and immigrants. We
have many different plans with various policy options in just about every
price range. Plans are available for any age visitor or immigrant, so even
if you are over age 65 and waiting on Medicare eligibility we have just the
coverage that you need!
For complete details and a personalized quote please call, fax, email us or
visit us on the Web:
Insurance Services of America
Chandler, Arizona
1-800-647-4589
1-480-821-9297 (fax)
health@immigrationhealth.com
www.immigrationhealth.com
An Important disclaimer! The information provided on this page is not legal advice. Transmission of this information is not intended to create, and receipt by you does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers must not act upon any information without first seeking advice from a qualified attorney. © Copyright 1999-2002 American Immigration LLC, ILW.COM. Correspondence to weeklyeditor@ilw.com. Letters may be edited and may be published and otherwise used in any medium.
| 
Add to del.icio.us