Public Opinion and Immigration

Paper Summary:

This paper identifies the focus of research questions used by public opinion scientists to frame the issue of immigration in their studies. The author discusses the known attitudes of Americans towards immigration, including overall public opinion, specific attitudes of significant demographics and relevant research trends. The paper concludes that, even though public opinion regarding immigration is both socially and politically important, research on this topic is still relatively limited. The author points out that polls indicate that, while generally Americans do not support increased immigration, the overall public believes that immigration has benefited the country as a whole but has negatively affected certain economic and social issues. The author underscores that researchers have suggested that family relations and friendships with recent immigrants have shown to produce positive attitudes towards immigration while feelings of prejudice typically coincide with restrictionist immigration views. The paper includes tables.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Methodological and Theoretical Issues Presented by Scientific Public Polls
Objectives and Insights: Overall View, Significant Demographic Disparities and Notable Trends
Attitudes towards Immigration Levels with Possibilities for Future Work
Attitudes towards Immigration in General and Regarding Specific Concerns
Proposed Explanations of Inconsistencies and Possibilities for Future Research
Explaining the Gap between Ethnicities with Recommendations for Future Research
Explaining the Gap between Public and Elites' views with Prospects for Future Work
Two Brief Anomalous Periods in 40-Year Trend Reveals Apathy
Possible Factors Influencing Public Opinion: Significant Case Studies
Methodological and Theoretical Issues Identified with Proposed Framework for Future Research
Kathleen Moore: Direct Exposure Theory
Peter Burns and James Gimpel: Prejudice Fueled by Economic Anxiety
Charles Chandler and Tsai Yung-mei: Ranging Social Factors
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"A more likely explanation for this gap is represented by the public's combined ignorance, and even sometimes apathy towards immigration legislation. Take, for example, the Gallup polls surveying public opinion towards the proposed 2007 immigration bill. Despite extensive news coverage and the fact that this poll was conducted just days before Congress was scheduled to debate the bill, the number of respondents claiming to have paid attention to the legislation is discouraging. 40% admit to paying little or no attention to the issue, 42% were somewhat attentive while only 18% followed the bill closely."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bierbauer, Charles. "Coming to America: Melting Pot Starts to Boil; Immigrants Can'T Count on Open Arms." CNN News Source (1996). 13 Oct. 2007 <www.cnn.com>.
• Bryant, Joyce. "Immigration in the United States." Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute 99.03.01 (2007). 25 October 2007. <http://www.yale.edu/ >.
• Burns, Peter, and James G. Gimpel. "Economic Insecurity, Prejudicial Stereotypes, and Public Opinion on Immigration Policy." Political Science Quarterly 115.2 (2000): 201-225. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. DePaul University Library, Chicago, IL. 11 October 2007.
• Carlson, Darren K. "Americans Approve of Immigration--in Principle." Gallup News Service 6 Dec. 2005. 24 Oct. 2007 <http://www.gallup.com >.
• Carroll, Joseph. "Americans Divided on Need for New Immigration Laws." Gallup Poll 16 July 2007. 24 Oct. 2007 <http://www.gallup.com >.

More papers on Public Opinion and Immigration:

• Analytical Essay # 68120 : "Inequality in Ethnic and Racial Relationships"
• Persuasive Essay # 120998 : "Immigration Reform"
• Comparison Essay # 111687 : "U.S. Immigration"

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