More than two-thirds of African Americans support immigration reform, despite some fears that immigrant labor depresses wages for U.S. workers, according to a new poll.
The survey, by Lake Research Partners, showed 66 percent of African Americans support a path to citizenship for immigrants currently in the country including the 11 million undocumented immigrants targeted by the bipartisan immigration bill currently under consideration by the Senate. Only 16 percent opposed it.
"This support holds up after hearing both anti- and pro-reform messages, including hot button issues of the potential for immigrants to take jobs away from African Americans (Final ballot: 69% favor, 14% oppose)," writes the polling firm. "A simple version of the proposal that does not include a plan to manage immigration based on future economic needs works slightly better than a version that is longer and includes language about future flows, though support for reform is high no matter which version is used."
In addition, the poll shows African Americans remain mostly unconcerned about competition in the labor market from immigrants. That's an unnecessary fear spread by opponents of immigration, Leadership Conference President and CEO Wade Henderson said during a conference call with reporters.
"When nativists sow this sentiment among whites, it tends to be discounted and rightly treated as extremism. But when they sow it among African Americans, the resulting sentiment tends to be overvalued and treated as an essential part of the discussion -- instead of being recognized as a cynical attempt to pit two vulnerable minority communities against one another. We're here today to put this controversy to rest, to show how African Americans take pride in our nation's democratic values, our diversity and our ingenuity," he said.
A full 76 percent of respondents said immigrants are exploited by corporations, and 71 percent said they contribute to American culture, communities and the economy.
Only 34 percent said immigrants take jobs away from American workers. And while 39 percent said immigrants drive down wages for African Americans, that is a 20 point drop from 2007.