The FINANCIAL — 46% of all Hispanics, and 59% of Hispanic immigrants, say they worry “a lot” or “some” that they themselves, a family member or a close friend could be deported. Hispanics alone comprise about three-fourths of all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, according to a fall 2013 Pew Research Center survey of Hispanic adults.
While Asian Americans make up a much smaller share of unauthorized immigrants than Hispanics, a greater share of Asian American adults are foreign born—74% versus 51%. Today, new immigrants from Asia are eclipsing new immigrants from Latin America, making the topic of immigration reform an important one to the Asian-American community as well.
Most U.S. Hispanics would prioritize, by 55% to 35%, relief from deportation over a pathway to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants, according to the survey of Hispanics. A similar survey of Asian-American adults fielded in October finds that U.S. Asians tilt in the same direction, though by a much narrower margin—49% to 44%.
This is not to say that a pathway to citizenship is not supported by Hispanics and Asian Americans. Fully 89% of Hispanics and 72% of Asian Americans support a pathway to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants if they meet certain requirements.
However, both surveys also show that when dealing with the issue of unauthorized immigration, being able to live and work in the U.S. legally without the threat of deportation is more important than a new government plan to obtain citizenship. This may reflect a possible opening for legislative compromise on immigration reform, according to the Pew Research Center.
The U.S. general public is also supportive of allowing unauthorized immigrants to remain in the country legally. A Pew Research Center/USA TODAY survey from last June found that 71% of U.S. adults said there should be a way for undocumented immigrants to stay in the country legally, if they meet certain requirements (a different survey question than that asked of Hispanics and Asian Americans). Support for legalization crosses party lines—majorities of Democrats (80%) and Republicans (61%) said they support this measure.
The same survey found that most Americans believe legalization should be tied to improved border security—fully 77% said this. But the public was divided when it came to the timing of this link. Some 43% of U.S. adults said legalization should occur only after the effective control of U.S. borders is achieved, but half (49%) said unauthorized immigrants should be allowed to apply for legal status while border improvements are being made.
Asian Americans and Hispanics also support increased border security. When asked as part of a list of possible immigration policy proposals, 73% of Asian Americans and 68% of Hispanics say they approve of increasing enforcement of immigration laws at U.S. borders, according to the Pew Research Center.
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