New America Media releases Undocumented Immigrants poll.

Undocumented immigrants at the center of a political firestorm in America are now joining the public debate on immigration. The vast majority say they are willing to comply with most requirements of legislation that would allow them to qualify for “Z” visas and regularize their status, even if it includes stiff fines and background checks.

These findings are reported in a new poll of 1600 undocumented immigrant adults from Latin America conducted for New America Media by pollster Sergio Bendixen of Bendixen and Associates.

The vast majority of undocumented immigrants believe anti-immigrant sentiment is growing in the country and has already had negative impacts on their families. More than 80 percent say they are following the Senate’s debate over immigration reform with close interest.

Findings include:

— If new immigration legislation is approved by the Congress of the United States, the overwhelming majority of Latin American undocumented immigrants — 83 percent — would apply for the new “Z” visa that would allow them to live and work in the United States legally.

— However, more than one quarter — 27 percent — of the undocumented immigrants from Latin America who would otherwise apply for the “Z” visa would not do so if they had to return to their home country to pick up their new work visa without a guaranteed right of return.

— Approximately three-quarters of the undocumented immigrants who are willing to apply for the new “Z” work visa would be “very interested” or “somewhat interested” in applying for a “green card” and eventually becoming a citizen of the United States.

— A substantial majority of undocumented immigrants from Latin America — 78 percent — agree with the statement that “the anti-immigrant sentiment is growing in the United States” and 64 percent of them
report that it is having a negative effect on their families.

— Nevertheless, 80 percent rate their quality of life in the United States as “excellent” or “good.” Even though the annual income of the majority is less than $20,000, 74 percent of undocumented immigrants
consider their economic situation to be positive.

To view summary and presentation CLICK on links below (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):
Summary:
http://media.newamericamedia.org/images/polls/undoc_poll/exec_summary.pdf>

Presentation:
http://media.newamericamedia.org/images/polls/undoc_poll/presentation.pdf>