Findings of Public Religion Research Institute national public opinion survey of religion, values, and immigration reform. Presented at the Brookings Institution on June 15, 2010. Survey funded by the Ford Foundation.
1. Religion, Values, and Immigration Reform Presented at the Brookings Institution, June 15, 2010 Funded by the Ford Foundation
2. Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform 2 Religion and Values Strategic Messaging Source: 2010 Religion, Values and Immigration Reform Survey, conducted by Public Religion Research; sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
3. Immigration Reform: Underlying Values 3 Religion and Values Strategic Messaging Source: 2010 Religion, Values and Immigration Reform Survey, conducted by Public Religion Research; sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
4. Nuances in Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform White evangelicals have significant concerns about the impact of immigrants in the country: A majority (54%) of evangelicals say immigrants are a burden on the country because they take American jobs, housing, and healthcare; Only 31% say immigrants strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents. Americans overall are nearly evenly divided on this question (45% to 43%). HOWEVER, white evangelicals still strongly support CIR over alternative enforcement only proposals by a 2-to-1 margin (66% to 26%). 4 Religion and Values Strategic Messaging Source: 2010 Religion, Values and Immigration Reform Survey, conducted by Public Religion Research; sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
5. Testing Terminology: Undocumented vs. Illegal Immigrants 5 Religion and Values Strategic Messaging Source: 2010 Religion, Values and Immigration Reform Survey, conducted by Public Religion Research; sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
6. Support for Clergy Speaking Out 6 Religion and Values Strategic Messaging
Positive Value Statement:Any immigration reform plan must reflect our economic interests and our values as a nation. We must secure the border and crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. We must also require all illegal immigrants to register with the government and meet certain requirements including working, paying taxes, and learning English before having the opportunity to apply for citizenship. This approach reflects our commitment to the dignity of every person by giving everyone an opportunity to be responsible, contribute their fair share, and become full members of society. Negative Practical Statement:Any immigration reform plan must focus on our national security and the economic well being of the country. Offering citizenship to illegal immigrants who broke our laws amounts to amnesty. We must secure the border and make sure that people here illegally do not take advantage of taxpayer-funded services like education and health care.
Roughly 1-in-4 (24%) Americans who attend religious services at least once or twice a month report hearing their clergy leader speak about the issue of immigration at least occasionally. Catholics who attend services regularly are most likely to hear about the issue in church. Nearly one-third (32%) of Catholics report hearing their priest speak about the issue of immigration sometimes or often. In contrast, only 16% of white evangelicals report hearing about the issue of immigration from their pastor. White mainline Protestants hear about the issue of immigration about as often as those who attend religious services regularly.