by Alex Meneses Miyashita
One third of respondents to a survey on immigration said they are “bothered” by Spanish speaking in the United States.
The ABC News Good Morning America poll of 1,035 adults found 33 percent were troubled by it while a two-third majority’ 66 percent said they were not.
More than half of those surveyed (55 percent) said they o-ften come into contact with Spanish speakers, while 23 percent said “sometimes,” 17 percent “rarely” and only 5 percent “never.”
The vast majority of respondents (89 percent) held 8no “feelings of prejudice” against Hispanics, but 10 percent said they did.
Feelings of prejudice against Hispanics were low compared to other groups, the study noted.
As many as a quarter of respondents in a survey released in March 2006 expressed prejudice against Arabs and 27 percent against Muslims. A 2005 poll showed 35 percent expressed prejudice against overweight people.
The survey also found most respondents, 54 percent, said undocumented immigrants hurt the country, compared to 34 percent opining they help the country.
The views were reversed when asked about legal immigrants 59 percent said they help the country, 26 percent said they hurt it.
In spite of respondents’ inclination to view undocumented immigrants as hurting the country, 56 percent said they would support their legalization if they fulfill certain requirements, including paying a fine, while 35 percent opposed the idea.
The poll was conducted from Sept. 27 to 30.
It had a margin of error of three points.
To view results, visit -http://abcnews.com/ polivault.html.
Hispanic Link.
