(J immigrants. Half agree that many immigrants wind upon welfare, close to half agree that immigrants

Transcription

1 - more Jersey. Ledger. We ask users to properly attribute this copyrighted information to The Siar-LedgeriEaaleton PoU. A stan based on the survey findings presented in this release and background memo will appear in Sunday s Siar RELEASE INFORMATION RELEASE: SIJEP S4-4 (EP 104-4) CONTACT : JANICE BALLOU (908) , Ext. 240 EMBARGOED NOT FOR RELEASE UNTIL: SUNDAY, October 15, ?i_il tzeiz.s Eagleton Institute of Politics New Brunswick New Jersey THE STATE UNPSflV cc NEW JEQ V - no English, 4-in-lO say it bothers them when this happens. immigrants. Among the 9-in-lO New Jerseyans who say they deal with immigrants who speak little or Two-in-three New Jerseyans live in an area where they say there are at least some Fewer residents l-in-3 say illegal immigrants attending public school is a major problem in New state receiving two specific government services: welfare benefits (65%) and free medical care (52%). A majority of New Jerseyans say there is a major problem with illegal immigrants in this of life in New Jersey. wind up in jail. In comparison, 3-in-tO state residents agree that immigrants help improve the quality take jobs that other New Jerseyans want, and about I -in-4 New Jerseyans agree that many immigrants (J immigrants. Half agree that many immigrants wind upon welfare, close to half agree that immigrants New Jerseyans are more likely to have negative rather than positive impressions of this country, fewer 3-in-lO see it as a major problem in New Jersey. immigration to this country. In addition, while 8-in-jO say illegal immigration is a major problem in Eight-in-ten New Jerseyans would like to see a reduction (62%) or a halt (16%) to IMMIGRATION: TIlE NEW JERSEY PERSPECTIVE QUit êtar-iebgcr/eaglet0n POLL

2 - more New Jerseyans do not see illegal immigration in their own state as being as much of a stopped altogether. In comparison, 21 percent say immigration should stay at about the same level as country. While 62 percent say immigration should be reduced, 16 percent would like to have it support changing the status quo and putting limits on legal immigration. September 6 to 13, Eight-in-ten New Jerseyans would like to see changes in the rate of immigration to this ATTITUDES ABOUT IMMIGRATION ( EP1O44 (SL/EP54-4) Page 2 immigration as a problem in the state. in New Jersey, while 51 percent feel it is a minor problem, and 8 percent do not see illegal In comparison, about half as many residents 3 I percent say illegal immigration is a major problem Jersey residents, 18 percent say it is a minor problem and 2 percent do not feel it is a national problem. immigration to stay the same as it is today. same level as it is today. moderates (22%) are more likely than conservatives (12%) to want immigration to stay at about the moderates (13%) or liberals (12%) to want immigration stopped. In comparison, liberals (3 1%) and it is today. problem as in the rest of the country, commented Janice Ballou. Poll Director. However they - Illegal immigrants are viewed as a major problem in this country by 78 percent of New Also, non-white residents (33%) are about twice as likely as whites (17%) to want New Jerseyans who consider themselves to be conservative (23%) are more likely than ( The Stczr-Ledger/Eagleton Poll was conducted with 804 New Jerseyans by telephone from

3 - more and in the nation (84%) is a major problem. Also, those who report living in areas of the state where the state (42%) compared to those who report living where there are some (28%) or only a few (20%) On the other hand, stale residents who are younger than fifty years old are less likely to there are many recent immigrants are more likely to say that illegal immigration is a major problem in Overall. consen atives are more likely to say both illegal immigration in New Jersey (40%) - Jerseyans want and many immigrants wind up in jail. Conservatives (29%) are less likely than liberals to agree that many immigrants wind up on welfare, immigrants take jobs that other New New Jerseyans who consider themselves conservatives are more likely than moderates or improve the quality of life in New Jersey, while 57 percent mildly (27%) or strongly (30%) disagree. Three-in-ten state residents strongly (11%) or mildly (20%) agree that immigrants help many immigrants wind up in jail while 61 percent mildly (30%) or strongly (3 1%) disagree. strongly (24%) disagree. About l-in-4 New Jerseyans agree mildly (14%) or strongly (12%) that immigrants take jobs that other New Jerseyans want, compared to 51 percent who mildly (27%) or (19%) orstrongly (17%) disagree. In addition, 45 percent mildly (31%) orstrongly (14%) agree that C mildly (20%) agree that many immigrants wind up on welfare compared to 36 percent who mildly immigrants in four specific situations. Overall, 52 percent of the states residents strongly (32%) or New Jerseyans are generally more negative than positive in their impressions about IMPRESSIONS OF RECENT IMMIGRANTS report both illegal immigration in New Jersey and in the nation as a major problem. recent immigrants. EPIO$4 (SL/EP544) Page 3

4 C a major problem, 23 percent say it is a minor problem, and 7 percent do not see this as a problem. - more - Jersey. public school is a major problem in New Jersey. IMPRESSIONS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS moderates (32%) or liberals (39%) to agree that immigrants help improve the quality of life in New Residents of areas with many recent immigrants (5 7%) are more likely than those with some (42%) or only a few (40%) to agree that immigrants take jobs other New Jerseyans want. receiving welfare benefits and free medical care, fewer residents feel that illegal immigrants attending EPIO4-4 (SL/EP54-4) Page 4 are also more likely than those with some (44%) or a few (52%) to say this is a major problem. likely to feel this way than non-whites (38%). Residents of areas with many recent immigrants (60%) benefits for illegal immigrants a major problem. In addition, white New Jerseyans (57%) are more Conservatives (58%) are more likely than moderates (50%) or liberals (48%) to consider free medical major problem, 29 percent say it is a minor problem, and 14 percent do not see this as a problem. About half 52 percent identify illegal immigrants receiving free medical care as a are also more likely than those with some (62%) or only a few (64%) to say this is a major problem. likely to feel this way than non-whites (54%). Residents of areas with many recent immigrants (7%) benefits for illegal immigrants a major problem. In addition, white New Jerseyans (69%) are more Conservatives (69%) are more likely than moderates (65%) or liberals (5 8%) to consider welfare C Sixty-five percent of the state s residents say illegal immigrants receiving welfare benefits is While a majority of New Jerseyans say there is a major problem with illegal immigrants

5 surrounding towns (80%) are more likely than those in older towns and suburbs (63%), newer suburbs surrounding towns (83%) are more likely than those in older towns and suburbs (67%), newer suburbs Also, New Jerseyans who live in major urban centers (73%) or urban centers and Also, New Jerseyans who live in major urban centers (81%) or urban centers and NEW.JEJiSEYANS EXPERIENCES WiTH RECENT IMMIGRANTS this way than non-whites (19%). attending public school is a major problem. Also, white New Jerseyans (39%) are more likely to feel Most New Jerseyans live in areas where there are recent immigrants and have had (67%) or South Jersey (52%) to say they live in an area with many or some recent immigrants. (58%) to say they often or sometimes deal with immigrants who speak little or no English. (64%) and rural areas (52%) to report many or some recent immigrants in their areas. Residents in North Jersey (76%) are more likely than those in Central (69%) or South Jersey are no recent immigrants. Residents in North Jersey (72%) are more likely than those in Central (3 0%), or only a few (25%) recent immigrants compared to 5 percent who say they live where there problem, 37 percent say it is a minor problem, and 24 percent do not see this as a problem. Seven-in-ten state residents have had to deal with immigrants who speak little or no English often (36%) or sometimes (33%) while 30 percent rarely (25%) or never (5%) have this experience. Fewer residents 34 percent say illegal immigrants attending public school is a major Conservatives (44%) are more likely than moderates (31%) or liberals (26%) to feel illegal immigrants experiences dealing with immigrants who speak little or no English. Nine-in-ten New Jerseyans say they live in an area where there are many (3 6%), some EP1044 (SL/EP544) Page 5 - more -

6 Copyright. October 16, The Eagleton Institute and The Star-Ledger. immigrants who speak little or no English. ( Among those who have had contact with immigrants who speak little or no English, 42 (70%) and rural areas (5 1%) to report experiences where they often or sometimes deal with percent say it bothers them when it happens compared to 56 percent who report it does not bother likely than moderates (41%) or liberals (36%) to say they are bothered by speaking with people who them. Conservatives (51%) who have dealt with immigrants who speak little or no English are more South Jersey (5%) to say they were born in another country. (13%), older towns and suburbs (12%), and newer suburbs (10%) are more likely than those in rural areas (2%) to report being born in another country. towns (23%) are more likely than those in older towns and suburbs (16%), newer suburbs (15%) and rural areas (10%) to report they speak English and another language in their household. ( in another country. Residents in North Jersey (14%) are more likely than those in Central (10%) or While 9-in-b New Jerseyans were born in the United States, 11 percent report being born PROFILE OF NEW JERSEVANS IMMIGRANT AND LANGUA GE CHARA CTERJS TICS are more likely to be bothered by it than those who have contact sometimes (37%) or rarely (27%). speak little or no English. Those who often deal with immigrants who speak little or no English (57%) New Jerseyans who live in major urban centers (17%), urban centers and surrounding towns Overall, 8-in-b New Jerseyans speak only English in their home while 19 percent speak English and another language. Residents in North Jersey (22%) are more likely than those in Central (15%) or South Jersey (16%) to say they speak English and another language in their household. New Jerseyans who live in major urban centers (3 8%) or urban centers and surrounding EP104-4 (SL/13P54-4) Pare

7 Revon Many Some A Few None Know Total (ni Race 101 k/colon question on the actual questionnaire is in brackets. public opinion. The questions and figures referred to in this release are presented below. The location of each probable difference in results between interviewing everyone in the population versus a scientific sample taken from are subject to a sampling error of about ±3.5 percent at a 95 percent confidence interval. Sampling error is the sample of 804 New Jersevans. 18 years and older, was interviewed by telephone. Figures based on this sample size that population. Sampling error does not take into account other possible sources of error inherent in any study of The latest SrwLedger/Eagleton Poll was conducted between September 6 and September , when a random BACKGROUND MEMO SLIEP54-4 (EPIO4-4), SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1995 RELEASE I.1.J1GEI.S EcgIe!cn Institute ci Po:itics New Srunswck New Jersey / Only Don t How many RECENT Im grants would you say live in your area--many, some, only a few, or none? IQ Non-white (156) --White (637) --Conservative (208) --Moderate (418) --Liberal September, % 62% 21% 1% 1% 101% (804) Should lie Stopped Stopped Altogether As It is Today Other Know To This Country Reduced. But Not About The Same Level Don t (139) Type of Residence I}E 514W UNNSTV Cc NEW JEPSEV --Rural (134) --Major urban center (63) --Newer suburb (279) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121) --Older town and suburb (194) --Central (203) --North (388) --South (213) September, % 30% 25% 5% 5% 101% (804) All Immigration Immigration Should Be Immigration Should Stay Which of the following three statements comes closes to your view: [Q.201 tilic %tar-lcbger/eagleton POLL

8 --30to (377) C 101 Parry II) --Democrat (214) September, % 33% 25% 5% --181o (117) (804) --Independent (328) --Republican (232) Reeion --None (42) --Orilyafew (196) --North Central (203) --Major urban center Urban centers and surrounding area (121) --Older town and suburb Newer suburb (279) (63) (194) --RuraL (134) ( Type ofresidence --South (213) (388) ó5andoveg (120) --50 to (170) 99% Often Sometimes Rarely Never Know Total ffl Dont I-low often do you personally have to deal with immigrants who speak liftle or no English--often, sometimes, rarely, or never? [Q.22] ( EP104 t (SIJEP54-4) Many (285) --Some (248) \Tyj; of Immivants In Area

9 --Republican (211) --Conservative (194) --Urban centers and surroundinn area (118) --Older town and suburb (184) --Newer suburb (262) Jdeoloq y Major urban center (62) Type ofre,cia ence --Independent (315) --Non-white (151) PartviD September, % 56% 2% 100% (761) Yes No, Does Not Don t --65 and over (99) 50 to (163) --18to (113) --30to (369) When that happens. does it bother you. or not? [Q22A] Bothers Bother Know Total --Liberal (134) --White (601) ASKED OF THOSE WHO SAID OFTEN SOMETIMES, OR Jt4RELYINQ.22: EPIO$-4 (SLIEP54-4) Democrat (206) --Moderate (397) Race --Rural (123) --Often (280) --Sometimes (268) --Rarely (213) Deal JF7th frnn,ieranrs

10 --Conservative (208) --Some () --Central (203) --South (213) --Major urban center C --Non-white (156) --Conservative (208) --North (388) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121) --Older town and suburb (194) --None (42) --Newer suburb (279) --Rural (134) --Some (248) --Only afew (196) (63) Type niresidence Immigrants rake jobs i/jar other New Je rse ans want Ideoioey ( :Vurn her oi!n,n,igrap,tc In.4rea Race k/coin vv September, % 20% 19% 17% 11% 99% (81)4) September, % 14% 27% 24% 4% 100% (804).fanv immigrants wind up on itelfare --Onlyafew () Agree Agree Disagree Disacree Know Total j --Many () Strongly Mildly Mildly Strongly Don t --Liberal (139) --Moderate (418) --White (637) --None () --Liberal (139) --Moderate (418) Region --Many (285) Do you agree or disagree with the following statements about recent immigrants to New Jersey. Do you agree or disagree that (READ ITEMP [PROBE: Do you agree/disagree strongly or mildly?f [Q231 ( Nun, her of Immieranix In Area EP1O4-4 (S L/EP54-4) -4 -

11 --Liberal (139) Region Race Race --North (388) Ideology Ideology September, % 20% 27% 30% 12% 100% (804) Immigrants help improve the quality of life in New Jersey --Conservative (208) --South ? II 100 (213) Strongly Mildly Mildly Strongly Do&t --Moderate (418) --Central (203) Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Know IiilL --None (42) --Onlyafew Il 100 (196) --Many (285) --Some (248) Vu,,, her oi Immigrants In Area --Rural (134) --Oldertown and suburb (197) --Newersuburb (279) --Major urban center (631) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121) Tye ofresidence --Non-white (156) --White (637) Conservative (208) --Moderate (418) --Liberal (139) September, % 12% 30% 31% 13% 100% (804) Many immigrants wind up in jail --None (42) --Onlvafew (196) Nun,ber of Immigrants In Area --Rural II 100 (134) --Many (285) --Oldertownandsuburb (194) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121) --Newer suburb (279) Majorurbancenter (631) Type of Residence ( --Some (248) --Non-white (156) --While (637) P104-4 (SLJEP54-4) -5-

12 C --Republican (232) --North (388) --Only afew (196) --None (42) Some I 99 (248) --Democrat (214) --Independent (328) ParivJiJ Reeon --65 and over (120) --18to (117) --50to (170) --Moderate (418) --Consen ative September, % 18% 2% 2% 100% (804)!deoloni --301o (377) minor problem. or not a problem in the United States? [Q.24] permission. Overall, how much of a problem is ILLEGAL ll vfl vilgration in the United States--is it a major problem, a ( Major Minor NotA Don t Problem Problem Problem Know Total --Liberal (139) --Central Race --Wlute (637) --Many (285) --Non-white (156) 1 Now I d like to ask you some questions about ILLEGAl IMI viigrants--that is, people who enter this country without EPIO4 4 (SLJEP54-4) -6- Vuin her of!mnncranr.c In.1rea 100 (208) 100 (203) --South (213) 3

13 --Democrat (214) --Moderate II 100 (418) Region --Central (203) --White (637) --Rural (134) --Many (285) --None (42) --18to (117) --50to (170) --65andover (120) --30to (377) Liberal (139) Idenlogt PartvlD --Onlyafew (196) Ruce September, % 51% 8% 10% 100% (804) Problem Problem Problem Know Total --Independent (328) --Republican (232) --Conservative (208) --North (388) --South (213) --Major urban center (63) --Some (248) Type ofresidence Major Minor NotA Don t c And overall. how much of a problem is ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION in New Jersey--is it a major problem. a minor problem. L or not a problem in New Jersey? Q.25] EP103-4 (SLIEPS-J-4) --Non-white (156) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121) --Older town and suburb (194) --Newer suburb (279) 1W,mber ofimmieranix In Area

14 --Conservative (208) --Non-white (156) --Conservative (208) Number of Immig -anix In Area --None (42) Ideolo czv --White (637) Race September, % 23% 7% 5% 100% (804) Illegal immigrants receiving welfare benefits Mor Minor NotA Don t problem in New Jersey? [Q.26] Problem Problem Problem Know Total --Liberal (139) --Moderate (418) --Many (285) Ideolo v --Liberal (139) --Central II 1 99 (203) Race --White (637) --Rural (134) --Many (285) --Only a few (196) --Non-white (156) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121) --Newer suburb (279) Region ( September % 29% 14% 5% 100% (804) Illegal immigrants 1-eceivingfree medical care --Onlyafew (196) Recently, there has been some discussion about ILEGAL immigrants receiving government provided services which they Number of!mmiranix In Area --Some (248) --None (42) --Moderate (418) --North (388) --South (213) --Major urban center (63) --Older town and suburb (194) --Some (248) are not entitled to. For each that I read to you, please tell me if illegal immigrants receiving this service in New Jersey is a ( Type of Residence EP1O4-4 (SIJEP54-4) -8- major problem. minor problem, or not a problem. First, [READ ITEM]--is this a major problem, minor problem. or not a

15 --Liberal (139) --White (637) --Some (248) --North (388) --South (213) --Rural (134) --Many (285) Race --6sandover II 101 (120) --30to (377) --50to (170) Jdeoloei September, % 37% 24% 6% 101% (804) --181o (117) Illegal immigrants attending public school Party ID Problem Problem Problem Know Total --Democrat (214) --Moderate (418) --Conservative (208) Number of Immigrants In Area Reeion Born In Born In Don t --Central (203) --Newer suburb (279) --Oldertownund suburb (194) September, % 11% 101% (804) --Only afew (196) --None (42) --Major urban center (63) Type of Residence Major Minor NotA Don t Were you born in the United States or were you born in another country? [Q.XDI4AJ U.S.A. Another Country Know Total EP104-4 (SL/EPS4-4) Independent (328) --Ilepublican (232) --Non-white (156) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121)

16 ( Reeion --Central (203) --Urban centers and surrounding area (121) --Older town and suburb Type otresidence (194) Rural (134) --North (388) --ó5andover (120) --18to (117) --50to (170) September, % 19% 1% 101% (804) --301o (377) --Newersuburb (279) --South (213) --Major urban center (63) Only Another Language Know Total English English And Don t Do you only speak English in your home or do you speak English and another language? [Q.XD 14BJ EPIO4-4 (SIJEP54-4)

17 North -- Bergen. Essex, Hudson, Moths, Passaic. Sussex, Union. and Warren Central -- Mercer. Middlesex, Monxnouth, and Somerset populations and somewhat denser small towns which are surrounded by niral areas. Rural-- This includes municipalities not in any of the categories above. These are small communities with scattered are included in this category. Bureau s Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas and have continued to experience growth in the past 20 years. These Older Suburbs & Towns --This category includes two types of municipalities: urban suburbs which are not as densely location, settlement patterns. population density and growth. example, all of Hudson county (outside of Jersey City), anti much of Union, eastern Essex and southern Bergen counties but also includes densely populated suburbs of urban areas which also have similar socio-economic characteristics. For Other Urban Centers & Surrounding Areas -- Th3s category is generally based on the cities of the state over 25,000, Major NJ Cities -- New Type oitownicommunitv: All municipalities in the state have been classified into one of five groups or types. based on Jersey s largest cities: Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Trenton, and Camden. Reizion of State: Region is classified according to county boundaries: Hunterdon. EP1O4-4(SL/EP54-4) -11- EAGLETON POLL REGIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS South -- Newer Suburbs -- These are primarily suburban areas which are outside central city proportions of the Census Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean. and Salem populated and/or have signilicantly higher socio-economic characteristics than the nearby urban center; and densely populated towns which are not near urban centers, and have not experienced major development in the past decade. municipalities are usually within a short distance of urban centers. Atlantic.

18 F