North Carolina Not Too Fond of Immigrants
April 18, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the Tar Heel State question the benefits of immigration, according to a poll by Elon University. 53 per cent of respondents believe immigrants are a burden to North Carolina by taking jobs, housing and health care. Conversely, 29 per cent of respondents think immigrants have strengthened the state with their hard work and talents.

Mike Easley—a Democrat—was first elected governor in November 2000, defeating Republican candidate Richard Vinroot with 52 per cent of all cast ballots. Easley earned a second term in 2004, winning 56 per cent of the vote against Republican Patrick Ballantine and Libertarian Barbara Howe.

In 2001, Easley signed the Southern Governors’ Association resolution, which included a plan to implement a farm labour system—based on an existing agreement between Canada and Mexico—to "provide an orderly, efficient way to import farm workers."

Last month, the Pew Hispanic Center calculated the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States at somewhere between 11.5 million to 12 million. While California is home to most workers, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina have the greatest rates of increase.

In December 2005, the House of Representatives passed a bill that seeks to make it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally or to help an undocumented person stay in the country. The proposal also calls for the construction of a new 1,100 kilometre fence on the U.S.-Mexico border.

On Apr. 6, several senators announced a compromise package that would place illegal immigrants in three different groups depending on the amount of time they have spent in the U.S. The plan, called the "roots concept" by Republican lawmakers, would favour persons who have lived in the U.S. for more than five years. The proposal was not ratified before a two-week congressional break.

Polling Data

Which of these two statements do you agree with the most?

Immigrants are a burden to the state
by taking jobs, housing and health care
53%

Immigrants have strengthened the state
with their hard work and talents
29%

Undecided
18%

Source: Elon University
Methodology: Interviews with 677 North Carolina adults, conducted from Apr. 3 to Apr. 6, 2006. Margin of error is 3.8 per cent.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/11593