This other Zogby poll sort of shows how what the people think often can be at a complete 180 to what politicians do and claim the people want.
New study defies U.S. stereotypes
BY KELLY ARTHUR GARRETT/THE HERALD MEXICO
El Universal
A new survey reveals that a majority of Americans have a positive impression of their southern neighbors
While the U.S. Senate´s debate on immigration reform is largely seen in Mexico as taking place in a heightened anti-Mexican atmosphere, the recently released Zogby International poll paints a different picture.
The survey of cross-border attitudes, entitled "How We See Each Other," found that an overwhelming majority of Americans have a positive impression of the Mexican people. Solid majorities also oppose a border wall between the two nations, approve of inter-country marriages, support generous economic aid to Mexico, and consider Spanish the most useful second language.
"Americans are a lot more favorable to Mexico than the loudest voices would have you believe," said John Zogby, the polling organization´s president and author of the poll´s section on U.S. attitudes. "Fundamentally, Americans don´t have an ax to grind with the Mexican people."
The Senate is considering border security legislation that would crack down on undocumented workers already living in the United States. The Sensenbrenner bill, as it´s known, also calls for erecting a series of long fences along the border.
But the Zogby poll, while confirming U.S. citizens´ demand for tighter border security and better immigration control, found little evidence of an anti-immigrant groundswell. For example, more than two out of three Americans (68 percent) agree that Mexican migrant workers benefit the economy.
"We´re immigrant-friendly in this country," Zogby said Tuesday from New York by telephone. "We´re mostly children of immigrants."
Also noteworthy was the 69 percent majority opposing any border wall. "Support for a fence only goes up when you get close to the border," Zogby said. "Folks in Montana, what do they care?"
But the poll´s depiction of U.S. attitudes about Mexico and immigration may be too rosy, according to a Mexico-based pollster.
"It flies in the face of recent studies, which show a much more wary U.S. population," said Dan Lund, president of MUND Américas, a public policy research group in Mexico City. "The country has just been persistently divided on these issues."
Zogby disagrees. "It´s by and large consistent with other polls," he said.
The survey´s revelation of a kinder, gentler U.S. public could conceivably serve to lower temperatures in Washington and Mexico City as the migration debate unfolds. Indeed, its release corresponds not only to the Senate debate, but also with the development of a pro-Mexico media campaign by prominent Republican public relations professional Rob Allyn, as well as with the placement of full page pro-immigration ads in U.S. and Mexican newspapers by Mexican governmental bodies.
That may not be a coincidence, according to Lund. "The part of the poll dealing with the U.S. point of view feels more like a PR push than a cold reading of American opinions and values," he said.
The poll section dealing with Mexican attitudes toward the United States was conducted by Mexico´s Center for Development Research (CIDAC).
Americans´ mostly positive opinions about Mexicans were not always reciprocated in the poll results. While 84 percent of Americans hold a positively view of Mexicans, only 36 percent of Mexicans look favorably on their neighbors.
That, Zogby said, may have its roots in the anti-immigrant rhetoric that reaches the Mexican media in disproportionate measure. "From the Mexican point of view, it´s hard to hear every day ´We don´t want you here´ without reacting negatively," he said.
Still Lund and Zogby both see reason for hope that the two populations can resolve their differences over migration. "If neither side pushes too far in one direction, people will figure out a way to move forward," Lund said.
Said Zogby, "Nothing in this survey reveals any fundamental antipathy. There are misunderstandings, but potential for healing. We share the same values."
New study defies U.S. stereotypes
BY KELLY ARTHUR GARRETT/THE HERALD MEXICO
El Universal
A new survey reveals that a majority of Americans have a positive impression of their southern neighbors
While the U.S. Senate´s debate on immigration reform is largely seen in Mexico as taking place in a heightened anti-Mexican atmosphere, the recently released Zogby International poll paints a different picture.
The survey of cross-border attitudes, entitled "How We See Each Other," found that an overwhelming majority of Americans have a positive impression of the Mexican people. Solid majorities also oppose a border wall between the two nations, approve of inter-country marriages, support generous economic aid to Mexico, and consider Spanish the most useful second language.
"Americans are a lot more favorable to Mexico than the loudest voices would have you believe," said John Zogby, the polling organization´s president and author of the poll´s section on U.S. attitudes. "Fundamentally, Americans don´t have an ax to grind with the Mexican people."
The Senate is considering border security legislation that would crack down on undocumented workers already living in the United States. The Sensenbrenner bill, as it´s known, also calls for erecting a series of long fences along the border.
But the Zogby poll, while confirming U.S. citizens´ demand for tighter border security and better immigration control, found little evidence of an anti-immigrant groundswell. For example, more than two out of three Americans (68 percent) agree that Mexican migrant workers benefit the economy.
"We´re immigrant-friendly in this country," Zogby said Tuesday from New York by telephone. "We´re mostly children of immigrants."
Also noteworthy was the 69 percent majority opposing any border wall. "Support for a fence only goes up when you get close to the border," Zogby said. "Folks in Montana, what do they care?"
But the poll´s depiction of U.S. attitudes about Mexico and immigration may be too rosy, according to a Mexico-based pollster.
"It flies in the face of recent studies, which show a much more wary U.S. population," said Dan Lund, president of MUND Américas, a public policy research group in Mexico City. "The country has just been persistently divided on these issues."
Zogby disagrees. "It´s by and large consistent with other polls," he said.
The survey´s revelation of a kinder, gentler U.S. public could conceivably serve to lower temperatures in Washington and Mexico City as the migration debate unfolds. Indeed, its release corresponds not only to the Senate debate, but also with the development of a pro-Mexico media campaign by prominent Republican public relations professional Rob Allyn, as well as with the placement of full page pro-immigration ads in U.S. and Mexican newspapers by Mexican governmental bodies.
That may not be a coincidence, according to Lund. "The part of the poll dealing with the U.S. point of view feels more like a PR push than a cold reading of American opinions and values," he said.
The poll section dealing with Mexican attitudes toward the United States was conducted by Mexico´s Center for Development Research (CIDAC).
Americans´ mostly positive opinions about Mexicans were not always reciprocated in the poll results. While 84 percent of Americans hold a positively view of Mexicans, only 36 percent of Mexicans look favorably on their neighbors.
That, Zogby said, may have its roots in the anti-immigrant rhetoric that reaches the Mexican media in disproportionate measure. "From the Mexican point of view, it´s hard to hear every day ´We don´t want you here´ without reacting negatively," he said.
Still Lund and Zogby both see reason for hope that the two populations can resolve their differences over migration. "If neither side pushes too far in one direction, people will figure out a way to move forward," Lund said.
Said Zogby, "Nothing in this survey reveals any fundamental antipathy. There are misunderstandings, but potential for healing. We share the same values."
