Blacks, Hispanics, Asians & Bi-Racials weigh in on Immigration.

A new survey released by the TRUE Agency identifies and tracks the attitudes of transcultural Americans –who include Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, as well as whites and others—about one of the country’s hot-button issues, illegal immigration. This survey was conducted by TRUE, a minority-owned bicoastal advertising agency that targets multicultural markets, in partnership with Trace magazine, a leading global trends magazine, as a means to enhance the national discussion on immigration by providing first-person insights to replace stereotypes.

Among the findings are two key–and unexpected—findings: That, for the average American, pop culture (71%) and celebrities (66%) are perceived as more important than immigration rights (39%), reflecting a cynical perception towards things that really matter to Americans; and that nearly half the respondents agreed that illegal immigration enables them to get in contact with other cultures and languages (45%) and to be more culturally open (45%). Hispanics were even more likely to agree with these statements (61% and 68%, respectively). (See below for further information on findings.)

The True Agency set out to track the attitudes of transcultural Americans towards illegal immigration because this group tends to have a deeper, more personal insight into the issue, as well as direct experience. In addition, the survey was specifically designed to go significantly beyond the standard responses by allowing for several open-ended and fill-in responses. The sample was conducted online during the first week of May with 350 respondents.

The term “transcultural” describes individuals whose allegiances reach beyond traditionally defined national, religious and ethnic boundaries. “Transculturalism is about the values that are forging new majorities, new mainstreams and new markets,” says True Agency’s chairman Claude Grunitzky. “As a market segment whose attitudes, values and behaviors regularly spread into the mainstream and cause leading trends,” he continued, “their viewpoint is well worth tracking and listening to.”

Major findings from the survey include:

Dissatisfaction is growing with “punitive” answers

When asked what the U.S. Congress should do in response to the steady inflow of undocumented workers, 46.7% of the respondents chose “Eliminate the current laws and redraft a more lenient legal framework.” Undistracted by the economic issues of wages and taxes, a growing number of transcultural Americans fear that the current controversy around illegal immigration is evidence of our country’s growing spiritual deficit.

A hunger for better “solutions” to the issue is growing

When asked if satisfied with the level of national conversation around the issues of immigration rights and reforms, 76.9% of the respondents said “No.” When asked how to improve the conversation, 75.9% said that “ordinary Americans” could be doing more, followed by “the media” (75%), “Congress” (70.7%), “the President” (63%), and “celebrities” (56%).

A growing number of transcultural Americans are dissatisfied with the level of the current national discussion around immigration. They know this is a complicated issue, with no easy answers. In the absence of meaningful Presidential leadership, they expect more leadership and information from their fellow citizens and from the media.

Fears of a national wave of anti-American demonization are growing

In fill-in responses to the question, “What would an ideal immigration reform proposal look like,” thoughtful analysis contrasted with strong cynicism about the conservative principles now dominating American leadership. One of the responses recalled that George Washington’s great-grandfather, John Washington, was an immigrant, arriving in 1657.

A growing number of transcultural Americans resist the idea that “illegal” immigrants should be thought of as dangerous “others.” Many Americans recall that the nation’s economic growth in the 19th century resulted from its “melting pot” premise, and its authority during the 20th century, as a defender of freedom and democracy, drew on its ethnic diversity.