Poll: U.S. Border Control Lacking

75 Percent Say U.S. Not Doing Enough To Keep Illegal Immigrants Out

(CBS)  Southerners are more likely than those in other regions of the country to say legal immigration to the U.S. should be decreased.

Still, Americans do not think immigrants take desirable jobs away from citizens. 58 percent think immigrants mostly take jobs that Americans don't want, and 31 percent say immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans. Similar views have been expressed since CBS News starting asking the question in 1986.

IMMIGRANTS TO THE U.S…

Take jobs away from Americans
Now
31%
7/2005
33%
10/1996
22%
6/1986
34%

Take jobs Americans don't want
Now
58%
7/2005
52%
10/1996
67%
6/1986
52%

In fact, 46 percent say today's immigrants work harder than people born in the U.S. 6 percent say they do not work as hard, and 43 percent say there isn't much difference. Here too, opinions have remained fairly constant over the years.

DO TODAY'S IMMIGRANTS WORK HARDER THAN PEOPLE BORN IN THE U.S.?

Yes, work harder
Now
46%
1/2004
46%
6/1986
45%

No, not as hard
Now
6%
1/2004
6%
6/1986
8%

Not much difference
Now
43%
1/2004
39%
6/1986
33%

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This poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 808 adults, interviewed by telephone October 3-5, 2005. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage points.


For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.