Immigration 2009 Topline

Full Survey Results

A Place To Call Home: What Immigrants Say Now About Life In America is based on a telephone survey, utilizing both landline and cellular telephones (click here for more on the methodology of this study and the characteristics of our sample). Respondents include a representative sample of 1,138 foreign-born adults, 18 years and older who currently live in the United States and came to the United States at the age of five or older. The study employed a hybrid, stratified design that combined random digit dialing and listed sample to increase the incidence of households with foreign-born adults from South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern and Central/South American heritage. Interviews were conducted between April 23 and June 7, 2009.

Results of less than 0.5 percent are signified by an asterisk. Results of zero are signified by a dash. Responses may not always total 100 percent due to rounding. Combining answer categories may produce slight discrepancies between numbers in these survey results and numbers in the report.

Participants in "A Place To Call Home"	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries

	1138	202	194	158	269	140	175

1. Overall, would you say that you are extremely happy, somewhat happy or generally disappointed with life in the United States?
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%


Extremely happy	34	40	35	45	32	40	24
Somewhat happy	53	53	50	38	56	52	54
Generally disappointed	10	5	12	14	6	7	18
Don’t know	1	1	2	2	1	*	*

2. What do you think is the most important problem facing the United States today? [BASE: Open-ended.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Aspects of the economy	42	48	40	38	43	45	37
Unemployment	20	16	14	11	21	29	15
Decaying social values /other social problems	6	4	12	11	4	2	8
Government/legislation	5	4	2	4	7	1	11
Health care /insurance affordability/availability	3	1	6	*	1	1	7
War/want peace	2	1	1	2	1	4	*
Aspects of foreign relations	3	1	*	2	1	2	4
Immigration problems/policies	2	-	*	8	4	2	3
Discrimination/racism	2	*	5	3	2	2	*
Terrorism	2	4	*	*	4	-	3
Education	1	2	2	6	*	1	*
Language	1	-	2	-	1	*	-
Other	2	5	5	1	1	1	2
None/no problems	4	12	5	6	1	2	5
Don't know	5	2	6	6	7	6	2

3. As things stand now, is it MOST likely:	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

That the United States will be your permanent home?	70	77	71	81	63	68	71

That someday you will go back to live in the country where you were born?	17	16	11	15	21	19	16

That you will move someplace else to live?	3	3	1	2	3	6	3

Don’t know	10	4	15	3	13	7	10

4. If you could do it again, would you choose:	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

To come to the United States	71	75	74	82	68	75	65
To stay in the country where you were born	19	16	14	4	26	18	25
To pick a different country to live in	6	5	5	9	4	6	8
Don’t know	3	4	8	4	2	1	3

5. When you arrived in the United States, how long did it take before you felt comfortable here and a part of the community?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

1 to just under 2 years	47	56	33	50	57	48	46
2 to just under 5 years	30	24	37	35	23	31	30
5 to just under 10 years	9	5	11	4	10	10	8
10 years or more	5	9	11	4	2	4	3
I have never felt like I fit in	5	2	7	5	4	4	6
Don’t know	3	4	1	1	2	2	4

6. When you first came to this country, did you have a good amount of money to get you started or did you come with very little money in your pocket?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

A good amount of money	20	38	22	37	12	6	34
Very little money	76	60	75	60	81	91	62
Don’t know	2	2	2	3	4	1	3

7. Which of these two statements comes closer to your own view?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States is a unique country that stands for something special in the world	76	87	76	82	80	70	76

The United States is just another country that is no better or worse than any other	20	8	17	13	19	29	18

Don’t know	3	4	7	4	*	1	4

8. How much do you think America’s elected officials care about the issues facing immigrants—do you think they care a lot, a little or not at all?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Care a lot	26	40	37	44	15	13	37
A little	53	37	47	36	66	65	40
Not at all	15	17	3	6	16	19	18
Don’t know	6	6	13	13	3	3	6

9. Which comes closer to your view, even if neither is exactly right:	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

It is possible to be successful in the United States if you work hard, even if you do not have connections to help you	63	73	58	63	63	63	63

In order to be successful in the United States you need to have connections to people who can help you	35	26	38	36	35	36	37

Don’t know	1	2	4	*	2	1	*

10. Different countries have their own advantages and disadvantages. For each of the following items that I read, please tell me if you think the United States or your home country does a better job when it comes to that item, or if they are about the same?¹	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Having more opportunity to earn a good living…

The United States	88	91	80	85	87	96	82
Home country/the country where you were born	2	2	5	1	4	*	3
They’re about the same	9	6	13	14	8	2	15
Don’t know	1	1	2	*	*	2	*

Having a legal system you can trust…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States	70	83	68	67	77	70	61
Home country/the country where you were born	5	*	11	13	1	-	11
They’re about the same	23	15	18	16	19	28	28
Don’t know	2	1	3	4	3	2	1

Making good health care available…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States	67	72	64	64	70	76	54
Home country/the country where you were born	15	9	16	26	15	4	28
They’re about the same	16	18	15	7	12	19	16
Don’t know	2	1	4	2	3	1	1

Having a good education system	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States	62	67	71	63	54	63	60
Home country/the country where you were born	14	11	14	18	21	5	18
They’re about the same	23	21	13	18	23	31	21
Don’t know	1	*	2	1	2	*	*

Being a good place to raise children…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States	55	40	69	61	47	66	43
Home country/the country where you were born	18	18	10	25	19	8	34
They’re about the same	25	38	20	10	29	26	22
Don’t know	2	4	1	3	5	-	1

Having a free and independent media as well as forms of free expression…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States	55	65	87	70	54	41	45
Home country/the country where you were born	9	7	4	9	7	9	15
They’re about the same	34	27	7	20	36	47	40
Don’t know	2	1	2	1	2	3	*

Having a higher standard of morality…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States	49	49	58	52	45	47	47
Home country/the country where you were born	16	22	10	14	17	11	25
They’re about the same	31	25	25	25	32	40	25
Don’t know	4	4	5	9	5	1	4

Letting people practice the religion they choose…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The United States	44	43	68	69	35	36	41
Home country/the country where you were born	5	5	2	6	5	-	14
They’re about the same	50	51	26	24	58	64	44
Don’t know	1	1	3	1	2	1	1

11. On this list of items, please tell me how important each thing is for immigrants to do:	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

To respect people from different racial or ethnic backgrounds…

Extremely important	83	86	74	78	84	89	81
Somewhat important	13	6	19	18	14	10	16
Not important	2	7	3	3	1	*	3
Don’t know	1	1	4	1	-	*	*

To work and stay off welfare…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Extremely important	63	62	61	74	70	56	66
Somewhat important	25	19	24	20	16	29	30
Not important	7	14	4	3	10	10	1
Don’t know	5	5	10	3	3	4	3

To volunteer some time to community services…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Extremely important	50	63	32	50	56	58	42
Somewhat important	42	32	60	38	39	37	43
Not important	6	4	3	11	5	3	13
Don’t know	2	1	6	1	1	1	2

12. Thinking about the people you know and spend time with, how many would you say come from your home country—a lot, some, very few or none?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

A lot	51	45	46	29	44	72	38
Some	21	28	26	32	21	12	25
Very few	24	24	26	24	30	14	31
None	3	3	2	10	1	1	6
Don’t know	1	*	*	5	3	1	*

13. In the past year, about how often have you telephoned family or friends in your home country—at least once a week, a few times a month, a few times a year or less than that?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

At least once a week	40	50	25	28	40	53	31
A few times a month	28	31	36	22	24	24	34
A few times a year	15	9	22	22	22	15	6
Less than that	15	8	18	21	14	7	30
Don’t know	1	1	-	*	-	2	*

14. How often do you send money to family living in your home country? Do you do this regularly, once in a while or not at all?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Regularly	18	14	9	1	24	23	16
Once in a while	44	55	41	20	47	52	31
Not at all	37	31	46	78	28	24	53
Don’t know	1	-	3	1	1	*	*

15. In your view, is it easy or hard for new immigrants to get a good job or do well in this country without learning English?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Very easy	4	3	3	1	3	4	6
Somewhat easy	10	13	8	10	6	6	18
Somewhat hard	32	37	30	39	32	39	19
Very hard	52	44	55	46	58	51	52
Don’t know	2	2	4	3	1	*	5

16. When you first came to the United States to live, did you already know how to speak English well, did you know a little, or did you not speak English at all?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Already knew how to speak English well	24	61	19	37	6	-	55
Knew a little	31	33	60	34	21	25	24
Did not speak English at all	45	4	21	27	73	75	21
Don’t knowl	*	1	*	2	-	-	-

17. Which do you speak MOST of the time in your home—English or your native language, or do you speak them both about the same? [BASE: Asked of those who knew a little English or did not speak English at all when they came to the United States.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

English	14	16	14	35	13	5	39
Native language	64	46	58	23	67	81	34
Both about the same	21	38	28	42	19	15	27
Some other language	*	-	-	-	*	-	-

18. Have you ever taken classes to improve your English skills or not? [BASE: Asked of those who knew a little English or did not speak English at all when they came to United States.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes, have taken English classes	70	72	81	81	66	66	72
No, have never taken English classes	30	28	19	19	34	34	28

19. How well would you say you speak English now? Do you think it is excellent, good, fair or poor? [BASE: Asked of those who knew a little English or did not speak English at all when they came to United States.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Excellent	13	28	9	28	15	5	25
Good	22	42	33	49	15	15	31
Fair	38	29	42	20	36	42	28
Poor	26	*	14	3	31	36	15
Don’t know	*	*	1	-	1	-	*

20. Would you say you can read a newspaper or book in English very well, pretty well, just a little or not at all? [BASE: Asked of those who knew a little English or did not speak English at all when they came to United States.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Very well	28	62	20	58	27	17	51
Pretty well	20	19	39	17	18	13	21
Just a little	39	18	41	23	38	49	21
Not at all	13	-	*	1	16	20	7
Don’t know	*	-	-	-	-	-	*

21. Do you think that the United States should expect all immigrants who don’t speak English to learn it, or should this be left up to each individual to decide for themselves?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

United States should expect all immigrants to learn English	56	65	52	86	52	44	70

Should be left up to each individual to decide	40	30	41	12	46	52	28

Don’t know	3	3	8	1	1	4	2

23. When it comes to students who are new immigrants, is it more important for the public schools:	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

To teach them English as quickly as possible, even if this means they fall behind in other subjects	74	74	74	88	72	75	70

To teach them other subjects in their native language even if this means it takes them longer to learn English	21	19	21	10	22	21	25

Don’t know	5	7	5	2	6	5	5

24. Are you the parent of any of these children who are under 18 years old or not? [BASE: Asked of those who have children under age 18 in household.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes, parent of child/children under 18 years old	74	74	89	84	66	72	74

No, not a parent of child/children under 18 years old	26	25	11	16	33	28	26

24a. Do you have any children who went to elementary, middle and/or high school in the United States? [BASE: Asked of those who live alone or who have no children under the age of 18 in their household.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
Yes	38	20	32	56	42	36	47
No	62	80	68	44	58	64	53

25. Were any of these children born in the United States or not? [BASE: Asked of those who have children under age 18 in households or who have children who went to elementary, middle or high school in the United States.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes, children born in the United States	79	79	70	61	80	86	78

No, children not born in the United States	20	21	30	39	20	14	20

Don’t know	1	-	-	-	-	-	3

26. How likely do you think it is that any of these children would want to live in your home country? [BASE: Asked of those who have children under age 18 in household.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Very likely	7	16	3	5	1	8	7
Somewhat likely	16	19	5	17	17	20	10
Somewhat unlikely	16	19	10	28	20	13	19
Very unlikely	58	44	72	43	54	57	62
Don’t know	4	2	11	7	4	2	2

27. Overall, how well would you say your child speaks English? [BASE: Asked of all parents of children under the age of 18 in household]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Excellent	67	82	72	82	57	57	78
Good	21	14	20	7	25	24	21
Fair	8	1	7	-	13	15	-
Poor	1	2	-	6	2	-	1
Don’t know	2	2	1	5	2	4	*

27a. Overall, how well would you say your child speaks English? [BASE: Total respondents who have children who went to elementary, middle, or high school in the U.S.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Excellent	84	82	78	88	77	89	89
Good	14	18	22	12	22	7	9
Fair	1	-	-	-	1	4	1
Poor	*	-	-	-	-	-	1
Don’t know	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

28. Would you say that overall, your child’s friends are more likely to be children of immigrants, children whose parents are from the United States or both about equally? [BASE: parents of children under the age of 18 in household]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Children of immigrants	8	4	7	2	18	5	11
Children whose parents are from the United States	14	26	18	30	4	1	34
Both about equally	76	70	67	64	76	94	55
Don’t know	1	*	8	3	-	-	-

29. Would you say that overall, your child tends to associate with other children from your home country or not? [BASE: Asked of parents whose child’s friends are more likely to be children of immigrants]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes	68	82	92	58	47	64	82
No	26	18	8	42	53	7	18
Don’t know	6	-	-	-	-	29	-

30. Is your child currently enrolled in elementary, middle or high school? [BASE: Asked of parents of children under the age of 18 in household]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Elementary	30	42	34	18	50	24	22
Middle	33	34	26	34	16	47	24
High school	28	17	33	32	27	25	36
Not applicable/in day care/not in school	9	7	6	16	8	5	18
Don’t know	*	1	-	-	-	-	-

31. Thinking about the education your child is getting, do you think it is better, worse or about the same as the education you got at his/her age? [BASE: Asked of parents of children under the age of 18 in household who are currently enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Better	75	72	80	66	63	85	65
Worse	8	13	6	10	21	4	5
The same	16	14	12	23	16	11	30
Don’t know	1	-	2	-	-	1	*

31a. Thinking about the education your child got at his/her elementary, middle or high school, do you think it was better, worse or about the same as the education you got at his/her age? [BASE: Total Respondents who have children who went to elementary, middle, or high school in the U.S.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Better	65	80	69	52	81	75	43
Worse	10	5	3	8	7	6	18
The same	21	13	28	13	8	11	37
Don’t know	2	2	-	27	2	-	1

32. Do you think public schools today do an excellent, good, fair or poor job of teaching your child to speak English as quickly as possible, or don’t you know enough to say? [BASE: Total parents of children under 18 in household whose child is currently enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Excellent	26	37	23	43	16	37	2
Good	35	26	47	24	33	35	38
Fair	11	7	10	4	28	11	2
Poor	2	1	*	20	2	1	*
Child born here/already spoke English	8	11	3	4	3	6	20
Don’t know enough to say	18	19	17	5	18	12	38

32a. Do you think your child’s elementary, middle or high school did an excellent, good, fair or poor job of teaching your child to speak English as quickly as possible, or don’t you know enough to say? [BASE: Total Respondents who have children who went to elementary, middle, or high school in the U.S.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Excellent	40	64	42	38	60	57	12
Good	22	3	33	21	29	18	18
Fair	6	-	17	2	1	15	1
Poor	*	-	-	-	*	-	-
Child born here/already spoke English	17	23	6	8	3	6	39
Don’t know enough to say	14	10	2	30	6	4	30

34. About how many years has it been since you had to deal with the U.S. Immigration Services directly—has it been less than a year, between 1 and 10 years or more than 10 years?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Less than a year	15	26	16	6	12	7	24
Between 1 and 10 years	32	39	34	30	45	30	17
More than 10 years	38	30	38	49	26	43	43
I have no experience with the USCIS or another government agency	9	3	7	8	14	12	5
Don’t know	5	2	5	7	3	6	9

35. As far as you remember, was your experience dealing with government immigration services an overall positive one, an overall negative one, or somewhere in the middle? [BASE: Asked of those who have dealt with government immigration services.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Overall positive experience	58	51	34	58	66	67	60
Overall negative experience	7	17	10	6	5	3	6
Somewhere in the middle	31	31	44	34	27	27	30
Don’t know	4	1	11	2	2	3	3

36. In general, do you think that government immigration workers: [BASE: Asked of those who have dealt with government immigration services 10 years ago or less.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Are usually respectful and do their best to help new immigrants	68	87	72	56	64	61	68

Are usually disrespectful and don’t go out of their way to help new immigrants	20	9	13	24	31	23	18

Don’t know	9	4	14	19	5	9	14

37. In your experience, how hard is it to get information and answers about immigration and naturalization issues from the government? [BASE: Asked of those who have dealt with government immigration services 10 years ago or less.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Very easy	21	26	14	22	10	16	45
Somewhat easy	36	42	47	42	41	32	23
Somewhat hard	26	21	18	25	21	46	18
Very hard	13	8	15	10	22	6	15
Don’t know	3	3	7	1	6	1	*
Refused	*	*	-	-	-	-	-

38. Would you say there is a great deal of discrimination against immigrants in the United States today, some, only a little or none at all?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

A great deal of discrimination	22	4	4	8	31	32	25
Some	40	41	45	43	41	43	33
Only a little	22	30	28	12	15	21	25
None at all	11	23	14	28	8	3	15
Don’t knowl	4	2	8	8	6	1	3

39. And now thinking only of immigrants from your home country, would you say that there is a great deal of discrimination against people from your home country in the United States today, some, only a little or none at all?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

A great deal of discrimination against people from your home country	15	2	1	7	11	34	9
Some	28	30	30	22	23	39	18
A little	28	43	35	17	25	22	27
None at all	22	21	22	43	25	3	44
Don’t know	6	4	11	10	14	1	2

40. And how much discrimination have you personally experienced simply because you are an immigrant—a great deal of discrimination, some, only a little or none at all?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

A great deal of discrimination	9	10	9	7	11	7	12
Some	16	15	27	25	15	16	9
Only a little	35	36	35	15	34	39	33
None at all	38	37	25	47	39	37	46
Don’t know	1	2	3	5	*	-	-

41. And in the past five years, would you say you have been discriminated against more, less or about the same as before? [BASE: Asked of those who came to the United States to live five years ago or earlier and have personally experienced any discrimination.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

More	17	16	7	12	16	32	8
Less	44	49	51	39	39	46	36
The same	37	32	39	37	43	22	55
Don’t know	1	1	2	12	2	-	*

42. Thinking about the last time you were discriminated against, where did it happen? [BASE: Asked of those who have personally experienced any discrimination.] [BASE: Answers are open ended.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

At work	37	49	22	37	41	49	24
In your community	20	14	20	17	10	20	32
Don’t know	11	22	31	6	5	3	8
At school	8	5	10	7	8	6	13
Other	5	*	6	2	7	2	10
On the street	4	*	1	-	1	9	4
At someone’s house	3	1	2	13	2	5	*
At a store (mall, market, gas station, etc.)	3	5	2	9	3	5	*
Restaurant	2	-	1	*	6	*	3
Government office (welfare office, Social Security office, etc.)	1	-	1	6	3	*	-
Looking for a job/during an interview	1	-	1	1	2	-	3
Medical provider (doctor’s office, clinic, hospital, etc.)	1	-	1	-	2	1	-
Public transportation (bus, subway, train, etc.)	1	1	*	1	*	-	4
Airport	*	3	-	*	*	-	-
Immigration offices/center/courts	*	-	*	*	*	*	-
In a park	*	*	*	-	-	-	-
Don’t Know	11	22	31	6	5	3	8

43. In the past five years, have you been stopped by police or other authorities and asked about your immigration status? [BASE: Asked of those who came to the United States to live five years ago or earlier.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes	5	2	1	1	2	9	7
No	95	98	99	94	97	91	93
Don’t know	*	-	-	5	-	-	-

44. Regardless of your immigration or citizenship status, have you had more difficulty finding or keeping housing, or has it been about the same?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

More difficulty	7	4	15	3	5	7	8
About the same	84	94	76	85	85	85	83
Don’t know	7	2	10	8	6	7	9

45. Have you ever had trouble getting a job because you did not have the correct papers or a valid visa?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes	22	14	19	6	15	31	22
No	77	83	76	89	84	69	78
Don’t know	1	2	4	2	1	-	*

46. Think about immigrants who obey the laws and are here LEGALLY. Since September 11th, do you feel that [BASE: Asked of those who came to the United States to live in 2000 or earlier] :	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The government has not changed how it treats legal immigrants?	37	53	22	50	33	31	49

The government is giving legal immigrants a harder time?	51	36	54	41	53	64	40

Don’t know	12	11	23	9	14	5	11

47. Do you feel that the government has become a lot stricter about enforcing immigration laws since September 11th, a little stricter, has there been no change, or don’t you know enough to say [BASE: Asked of those who came to the United States to live in 2000 or earlier] ?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

A lot stricter	55	47	40	39	74	62	47
A little stricter	21	15	21	26	15	28	21
No change	8	23	14	20	2	3	6
Don’t know enough to say	16	15	24	15	9	7	27

48. Some immigrants have gotten all of their documents together and become legal residents. Other immigrants are still preparing their documents and are considered undocumented. Are you a legal resident, or are you an undocumented immigrant?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Legal resident	81	93	98	94	82	59	91
Undocumented immigrant	15	6	1	2	14	33	6
Don’t know	3	*	1	4	3	6	3

49. Are you currently a U.S. citizen or not? [BASE: Asked of those who said they are a legal resident.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes, U.S. citizen	56	59	60	80	45	47	66
No, not a citizen	44	41	40	20	55	53	34
Don’t know	*	-	-	-	-	-	*

50. What year did you become a U.S. citizen?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

1980 or earlier	17	6	6	22	10	3	38
1981-1990	16	13	37	7	24	5	8
1991-1999	25	34	16	35	21	30	24
2000-2004	16	29	19	14	12	20	9
2005-2009	15	15	9	17	15	23	13
Don't know	11	2	11	5	17	19	8

51. Are you also a citizen of another country or not, or are you not sure? [BASE: Asked of U.S. Citizens.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes, also a citizen of another country	33	8	10	51	36	50	43
No, not a citizen of another country	54	78	71	36	56	25	51
Not sure	13	13	19	10	5	25	5
Don’t know	1	-	-	3	3	-	-

52. Are you currently in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, is it something you plan to do in the future, or is it something you do not plan to do? [BASE: Asked of non-citizens]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

In the process of becoming a U.S. citizen	18	26	9	66	14	9	30
Plan to do in the future	69	48	71	21	73	83	60
Do not plan to do	10	21	10	4	11	8	4
Don’t know	4	5	10	9	1	-	6

53. Which of these best describes what becoming a U.S. citizen (meant/means) to you? [BASE: Asked of citizens, those in the process of becoming a citizen, and those who are planning to become a citizen in the future.]	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

A dream come true	33	31	35	36	30	31	38
Something necessary	46	40	38	40	53	56	43
Something practical	17	27	17	21	14	12	18
Something not so important	1	1	3	*	1	*	1
Don’t know	2	1	7	3	1	*	1

54. There are many reasons that people choose to become citizens. For each reason I read, please tell me if it (was/is) a major reason, a minor reason or not something you (thought about when you were becoming a citizen/would think about if you thought about becoming a citizen).	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

To have equal rights and responsibilities…

Major reason	80	66	68	81	82	87	81
Minor reason	8	18	16	8	5	3	5
Not a reason at all	9	11	9	7	7	9	9
Do not want to be a citizen	*	2	1	-	-	-	-
Don’t know	2	2	4	3	*	*	5

To get the right to vote…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	78	62	59	77	84	85	84
Minor reason	12	25	30	10	8	7	4
Not a reason at all	9	11	10	8	7	6	11
Do not want to be a citizen	1	2	1	-	-	-	1
Don’t know	1	1	*	5	*	2	*

To have better legal rights and protections in the United States…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	78	64	69	80	72	92	75
Minor reason	10	23	15	6	12	3	12
Not a reason at all	9	9	10	7	13	5	11
Do not want to be a citizen	1	2	1	-	-	-	1
Don’t know	2	2	5	6	3	1	2

To show a commitment and pride in being an American…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	71	66	56	68	70	76	77
Minor reason	14	22	24	11	14	8	11
Not a reason at all	13	9	14	15	14	15	9
Do not want to be a citizen	*	2	1	-	-	-	-
Don’t know	3	2	5	5	2	1	4

So you would not have to worry about your immigration status…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	69	60	49	67	72	87	63
Minor reason	13	20	22	17	10	6	16
Not a reason at all	14	16	22	11	13	7	19
Do not want to be a citizen	*	2	1	-	-	-	-
Don’t know	3	2	6	5	5	-	3

To make it easier to get certain jobs…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	69	46	59	70	69	86	62
Minor reason	13	28	18	15	10	7	14
Not a reason at all	15	23	18	11	18	6	21
Do not want to be a citizen	*	2	1	-	1	-	-
Don’t know	2	2	4	3	2	*	2

To make it easier to travel in and out of the United States…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	65	55	48	68	68	78	60
Minor reason	17	23	23	16	13	12	20
Not a reason at all	15	20	22	11	13	8	18
Do not want to be a citizen	*	2	1	-	-	-	-
Don’t know	2	1	4	4	1	1	2

To make it easier to bring other family members to this country…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	49	28	38	35	56	69	38
Minor reason	17	27	24	24	15	11	15
Not a reason at all	32	41	33	37	27	19	46
Do not want to be a citizen	*	2	1	-	-	-	-
Don’t know	2	2	4	4	2	1	*

To qualify for government programs like Medicaid or food stamps…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Major reason	36	28	36	19	35	48	28
Minor reason	20	23	21	22	20	19	19
Not a reason at all	41	46	36	54	42	32	50
Do not want to be a citizen	1	2	1	-	-	-	1
Don’t know	3	2	7	4	3	1	2

55. Please tell me if you agree or disagree with each of the following:	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Immigrants who speak English well have a much easier time in the United States…

Strongly agree	81	81	77	84	84	80	80
Somewhat agree	14	15	16	12	13	14	14
Somewhat disagree	3	3	5	3	1	3	3
Strongly disagree	1	1	*	-	1	1	3
Don’t know	1	*	-	1	1	2	-

A person has to work very hard in this country to make it—nobody gives you anything for free…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	76	82	58	79	80	79	77
Somewhat agree	12	7	22	15	10	9	12
Somewhat disagree	6	8	10	4	3	8	2
Strongly disagree	5	1	8	2	4	4	6
Don’t know	1	1	2	*	2	*	2

I can trust the police to protect me and my family…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	61	75	45	68	59	65	62
Somewhat agree	23	14	30	14	30	24	17
Somewhat disagree	10	6	20	6	4	5	15
Strongly disagree	4	4	4	4	4	4	6
Don’t know	1	1	2	8	1	2	*

It’s easy for me to hold on to my culture and traditions in the United States…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	57	61	45	66	56	59	60
Somewhat agree	27	26	33	20	36	25	17
Somewhat disagree	10	6	17	7	2	12	12
Strongly disagree	5	6	4	5	3	3	8
Don’t know	2	1	1	2	2	1	3

Most politicians are pretty much willing to say whatever it takes in order to get themselves elected…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	52	43	31	53	52	53	71
Somewhat agree	24	34	30	21	21	30	10
Somewhat disagree	10	15	9	4	11	8	9
Strongly disagree	8	2	18	8	7	7	3
Don’t know	6	6	12	13	8	2	6

The United States needs new immigrants to do the jobs that people born in the United States can’t or won’t do…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	48	38	27	29	56	66	37
Somewhat agree	22	30	30	23	20	18	20
Somewhat disagree	10	12	13	17	5	6	16
Strongly disagree	14	14	16	24	15	6	23
Don’t know	5	3	13	7	2	4	3

There’s a lot more discrimination and prejudice against immigrants who are not white than against immigrants who are white…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	33	27	20	13	40	41	33
Somewhat agree	26	31	29	34	16	29	25
Somewhat disagree	19	17	24	20	17	18	18
Strongly disagree	11	13	11	22	15	8	11
Don’t know	9	8	14	11	10	3	13

It’s easy for immigrants to come to the United States illegally and live here without getting caught…	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	21	18	15	26	13	25	27
Somewhat agree	16	9	20	7	23	10	20
Somewhat disagree	19	21	22	13	16	22	16
Strongly disagree	34	39	34	39	36	37	27
Don’t know	8	8	9	15	11	3	10

56. In your experience, would you say that MOST of the immigrants you know in the United States are here legally or illegally?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Most are here legally	64	87	81	81	69	38	68
Most are here illegally	27	6	11	13	18	52	23
Don’t know	9	7	8	6	12	10	7

57. Which comes closer to your point of view—illegal immigrants in the long run become productive citizens and pay their fair share of taxes, or illegal immigrants cost the taxpayers too much by using government services like public education and medical services?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Illegal immigrants in the long run become productive citizens and pay their fair share of taxes	57	48	39	48	58	72	53

Illegal immigrants cost the taxpayers too much by using government services like public education and medical services	31	43	39	42	27	19	38

Don’t know	11	8	20	10	9	8	9

58. Do you think that recent immigrants have the same respect for American laws and customs as immigrants like you, or do they have less respect for American laws and customs?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Same respect	57	55	54	44	59	65	49
Less respect	32	30	32	36	32	27	39
More respect	3	3	2	7	2	7	1
Don’t know	7	12	12	13	5	1	11

59. When it comes to immigration in the United States do you think that our country is too open to immigrants from other countries, too closed to immigrants from other countries, or does our country strike the right balance in accepting immigrants from other countries?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Too open to immigrants from other countries	25	33	32	35	19	16	33

Too closed to immigrants from other countries	17	4	14	13	23	21	14

Strikes the right balance in accepting immigrants from other countries	50	58	42	42	47	58	44

Don’t know	8	5	12	10	10	4	9

60. When it comes to immigration in your community, do you think that people in your community are too open to immigrants from other countries, too closed to immigrants from other countries, or do they strike the right balance in accepting immigrants from other countries?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Too open to immigrants from other countries	22	26	31	35	18	17	23

Too closed to immigrants from other countries	13	5	14	7	16	20	6

Strike the right balance in accepting immigrants from other countries	54	61	43	48	54	55	56

Don’t know	11	8	12	10	11	7	16

61. Do you agree or disagree with the proposal to create a “guest worker” program that would give a temporary visa to non-citizens who want to work legally in the United States?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Strongly agree	61	43	42	48	68	73	63
Somewhat agree	23	32	27	28	20	20	23
Somewhat disagree	3	3	8	2	2	2	1
Strongly disagree	7	14	15	14	6	2	6
Don’t know	5	7	8	8	3	4	7

62. Which comes closer to your view even if neither is exactly right?	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

The government should provide a way for illegal immigrants who don’t have a criminal record and have shown a strong commitment to the United States to become citizens	72	48	54	62	81	84	73

The government should not pursue such a policy since that sort of program would reward people who broke the law	21	45	34	29	12	9	22

Don’t know	7	7	12	9	6	6	5

S3. How old were you when you came to the United States to live? *	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

5-17 years	28	17	19	34	23	36	29
18-29 years	43	41	43	42	50	41	42
30 or older	28	41	36	23	27	20	29
Don't know	1	1	0	1	1	3	0

D2. Including yourself, how many people are there living in your household?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

1	7	6	4	4	10	3	13
2	24	20	35	22	22	17	31
3	20	13	21	14	22	22	21
4	21	28	24	28	16	17	22
5	14	23	11	22	19	16	4
6	7	7	3	3	5	12	4
7	4	2	1	1	4	8	3
8	2	0	1	-	2	5	-
9	1	0	1	5	0	0	2
Don't know	0	-	0	-	-	-	-

D4. Are you married, LIVING as married, divorced, separated, widowed, or have you never been married?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries

	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
Married	58	76	72	72	44	56	53
Living as married	5	1	4	0	5	7	7
Divorced	5	0	4	7	6	4	6
Separated	6	1	1	1	5	9	7
Widowed	5	7	0	8	8	3	7
Never married/Single	20	14	19	12	29	20	17

D5. Are you NOW employed full-time, part-time, are you retired, or are you not employed for pay?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Full-time	46	57	53	56	40	42	45
Part-time	16	8	18	14	17	19	12
Retired	11	5	12	12	8	8	18
Not employed	23	26	12	13	26	27	21
Homemaker	1	2	2	-	2	0	0
Student	1	1	2	4	2	0	1
Disabled	1	1	1	1	3	1	0
Don't Know	0	0	-	-	1	-	-

D6. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent or something else?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Republican	13	10	14	18	8	12	18
Democrat	44	54	42	40	39	39	51
Independent	24	14	24	25	31	24	22
Something else	8	8	10	4	10	12	1
Don't Know	9	10	9	12	9	10	8

D7. Do you lean toward the Republican or Democratic Party, or do you not lean either way?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Republican	9	6	10	8	9	3	24
Democrat	23	50	21	30	17	14	42
Don't lean either way	61	44	57	42	68	80	25
Don't Know	6	0	12	20	3	3	9

D9. What is your religion, if any?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Baptist	1	1	-	0	1	-	4
Buddhist	4	-	25	-	0	-	1
Catholic/Roman Catholic	46	23	11	19	51	77	41
Christian/Non Denominational Christian	14	7	14	8	23	12	15
Episcopalian	0	-	-	-	-	-	1
Evangelical	1	-	-	-	4	1	-
Hindu	4	33	0	-	1	1	2
Jehovah's Witness	1	-	-	-	2	1	1
Jewish/Judaism	1	-	-	13	0	-	2
Lutheran	0	-	-	-	-	-	1
Methodist/Wesleyan	1	-	5	-	0	-	1
Mormon/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints	0	-	-	-	0	1	-
Muslim/Islamic	5	28	0	42	1	-	1
Orthodox (Eastern, Greek, Russian, Armenian, etc)	1	-	-	4	-	-	6
Pentecostal	1	-	-	-	1	-	2
Presbyterian	0	-	-	0	0	-	-
Protestant	0	-	1	-	1	-	1
Seventh Day Adventist	0	-	-	-	-	-	2
Sikhism	0	4	-	-	-	-	-
Zorasterian	0	0	-	1	-	-	-
No Religion/none, not a believer, atheist, agnostic	13	2	38	9	12	6	14
Other	2	1	3	2	1	-	5
Don't Know	1	-	3	-	2	-	0

D11. I’m going to read some ranges of annual household income. Please stop me when I read the one that describes your total household income in 2008.*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

$15,000 or Under	21	11	17	18	32	27	11
$15,001 to $25,000	20	14	14	11	21	32	11
$25,001 to $35,000	12	6	15	9	8	16	11
$35,001 to $50,000	10	8	14	21	7	6	12
$50,001 to $75,000	10	13	16	7	7	5	12
Over $75,000	15	40	13	27	10	4	23
Don't Know	7	5	6	4	9	7	7

D12. Some people live from paycheck to paycheck, which means just being able to pay regular bills and other expenses with money from each paycheck, with almost nothing left over for savings. How often, if ever, do you and your family live from paycheck to paycheck?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Always	21	6	11	21	29	22	26
Most of the time	19	18	18	9	21	23	17
Sometimes	30	29	27	19	29	36	25
Hardly ever	10	10	11	20	7	12	9
Never	15	31	25	27	5	4	23
Don't Know	4	6	8	4	4	3	0

D13. When it comes to health insurance, which of these best describes you:*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

I have private health insurance	46	66	67	56	31	32	51
I have no health insurance	27	21	10	15	32	45	17
I have health insurance through Medicare	10	6	18	9	11	10	9
I have health insurance through Medicaid	11	4	3	10	18	10	13
I have both Medicare and private health insurance	3	3	1	6	3	0	7
Don't Know	2	1	2	3	1	2	4

D14. Since you’ve been in the United States, have you or has any member of your family living with you ever received money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps, or not?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes, have received food stamps	21	10	14	25	26	33	9
No, have not received food stamps	77	90	84	75	71	64	91
Don't Know	1	1	1	-	1	3	-

D15. Have you or has any member of your family living with you ever received any kind of donations or free services from a charity or church in the United States, or not?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes...	5	1	12	2	7	3	3
No...	94	99	87	97	89	96	97
Don't Know	1	0	1	1	2	1	-

D16. Have you ever volunteered your time or contributed money to an organization or church in your community, or not?*	Total	Immigrants from South Asia	Immigrants from East Asia	Immigrants from the Middle East	Immigrants from Central and South America	Immigrants from Mexico	Immigrants from other countries
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%

Yes, have volunteered time or contributed money	64	76	75	54	57	55	70
No, have not	35	23	25	45	40	45	30
Don't Know	0	-	0	0	1	0	-

[1]. In the survey, respondents were asked specifically about the country in which they were born unless they declined to specify their home country (six respondents, or 0.5 percent of those surveyed), in which case they were asked to refer to their “home country.” The technique used in “Now That I’m Here” was slightly different—all survey respondents were asked to think about the “country where you were born.” For example, someone from France would be asked the question: “If you could do it again, would you choose to come to the United States, stay in France or pick a different country to live in?”

* For more on the demographics of the participants in this survey, please see Characteristics of the Sample.