June 12, 2002
UPI
WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- Nearly three out of five Mexicans believe there should be no border control for Mexican nationals crossing into the United States, while two-thirds of U.S. citizens do not believe illegal aliens in the country should be granted amnesty, a poll released Tuesday stated.
The poll was commissioned by Americans for Immigration Control Inc., which issued a statement saying the poll results show there is little support among Americans for a relaxation of border crossing policies between the United States and Mexico.
The poll was conducted by Zogby International. The group, over the period May 25-26, asked a series of questions of 801 Mexicans. A total of 1,015 U.S. citizens were questioned between May 28-30. The data have a margin of error of 3.5%.
Asked if they believed the U.S. Southwest rightfully belonged to Mexico, 58% of respondents in Mexico said it did, while 28% disagreed. A similar number -- 57% -- stated agreement with the position that Mexicans have the right to enter the United States without U.S. permission. A total of 35% disagreed.
A different set of questions was asked of the U.S. respondents. A total of 58% of those questioned said the United States should admit fewer immigrants each year while 30% said the U.S. immigration levels should be kept the same.
Sixty-five percent of those asked disagreed with the comment that foreigners illegally in the United States should be given amnesty and allowed to legally stay in the country, while 26% agree.
And 68% of Americans questioned believed that the U.S. military should be used as a temporary measure to help the U.S. Border Patrol control illegal immigration. Some 28% disagreed.
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=12062002-011544-4757r