Page 4 - AT

A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 22 OcTOber 2019

AP-NORC poll: Americans agree on many aspects of U.S. identity

By ANITA SNOW and HAN- gust 2018. Immigration
NAH FINGERHUT remains a weak point for
Associated Press Trump, with 40% approv-
PHOENIX (AP) — Majorities ing and 59% disapproving
of Americans agree diver- of how he's handling the
sity strengthens the coun- issue. Republicans over-
try and that values such whelmingly approve of
as constitutional rights, a Trump on immigration and
fair judicial system and the Democrats overwhelmingly
American Dream are key disapprove.
to the nation's identity, ac- There are also stark differ-
cording to a new poll from ences by race and ethnic-
The Associated Press-NORC ity, with white Americans
Center for Public Affairs Re- divided on the president's
search. handling of the issue, while
But the poll also reveals a roughly 8 in 10 black Ameri-
striking division on some cans and Hispanics disap-
aspects of national iden- prove.
tity by partisanship and ra- "He has not shown an in-
cial or ethnic background. kling of mercy" toward im-
Americans are closely split migrants, said Perry, who's
over whether it's better for among the African Ameri-
immigrants to embrace a In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, tourists ride the Staten Island Ferry to get a view of the Statue of cans who disapprove of
single U.S. culture or add Liberty in New York. current immigration poli-
their own variations to the Associated Press cies.
mix. all the tribes from all over States from Mexico. "There White Americans are slight- Fernando Rivera is a Re-
Immigration and identity the world," said Perry. "No is a lot of fear that comes ly more likely than black or publican who enthusiasti-
have been a major part of one should be afraid of with the word 'immigra- Hispanic Americans to say cally supports Trump and
the national conversation that. God needed to have tion,' but I think we should a culture established by his immigration policies,
under President Donald a place where every na- celebrate our differences." early European immigrants even though Rivera's own
Trump, who has cracked tion could be represented." Republicans are more likely is very important, 37% ver- father was a Mexican im-
down on people entering But the poll finds division on than Democrats to say that sus 27% and 28%. Ameri- migrant.
the United States illegally how Americans think immi- immigrants should adapt to cans nevertheless agree He is among the 38% who
and promoted construc- grants should contribute to a shared American culture, on several aspects of the support construction of a
tion of a wall along the the mix. Fifty-one percent of 77% to 32%, while Demo- nation's identity. At least wall along the U.S.-Mexico
U.S.-Mexico border. Trump Americans say there should crats are more likely than three-quarters of Republi- border. Forty-six percent of
recently pushed down the be an essential U.S. culture Republicans to say recent cans and Democrats say Americans are opposed.
annual cap for refugees al- and set of values that immi- immigrants actually have a fair judicial system, liber- Rivera, 48, says he believes
lowed into the U.S. to a his- grants assume upon arrival, done that, 57% to 28%. ties defined by the Consti- immigrants today are treat-
toric low of 18,000. while 46% say the country "I believe that immigrants tution, and "the ability of ed much better than his
The poll finds majorities of should be comprised of a need to come to America people living here to get father was when he came
white, black and Hispanic blend of cultures and val- legally and they need to good jobs and achieve the to the U.S. and there is a
Americans all say diver- ues that changes as new understand our culture, the American Dream" are very danger they can become
sity makes the country people arrive. Constitution and our laws," important. Wide shares of a burden on safety net
stronger, and the share of Still, Americans are some- said Sandy Raisanen, 56, of white, black and Hispanic programs. Now working
Americans saying diversity what more likely to say re- Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Americans say the same. for Texas state agency for
strengthens the country has cent immigrants to the U.S. Republicans are more likely Majorities across political vocational rehabilitation,
grown slightly over the last have retained their own than Democrats to think a and demographic groups Rivera said the oil refin-
year, from 53% to 60%. cultures than that they shared use of the English also call shared use of the ery jobs in his hometown
About three-quarters of have adopted an essential language or a shared cul- English language impor- of Grove, Texas, now go
Democrats think diversity American one, 54% to 43%. ture and set of values are tant, though some are largely to Hispanics from
makes the country stron- Tracy Torres, 33, a Demo- very important. And more more likely to say so than countries ranging from
ger, compared with about crat living in Palm Springs, than twice as many Re- others. Cuba and the Dominican
half of Republicans. California, says she thinks publicans as Democrats The poll shows that support Republic to Chile.
Jerry Perry, 63, of Breaux new cultures brought by call it important for the na- for increasing legal immi- "I've always felt I was at the
Bridge, Louisiana, is a great- immigrants make the Unit- tion's identity that culture is gration has ticked up from bottom of the totem pole,
grandson of slaves and life- ed States better. grounded in Christian reli- a year ago: 35% of Ameri- and then here came some
long Democrat who thinks "I don't think people should gious beliefs, 59% to 24%, or cans now say the number more people to knock us
diversity is a positive. whitewash or forget their brought to the country by of legal immigrants to the out," said Rivera. "Some-
"It makes the country a lot heritage," said Torres, whose the nation's early European U.S. should be increased, times it feels very crowded
richer as it brings together parents came to the United immigrants, 51% to 22%. up slightly from 29% in Au- here."q