79%: No English, No Citizenship

From Rasmussen

June 21, 2005--While much of the immigration debate focuses on who should be allowed to enter the United States, a bigger issue may be the question of how newcomers participate in American society.

Two-thirds (67%) of Americans say that those who move to the USA should "adopt America's culture, language, and heritage. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 17% believe immigrants should maintain the culture of their home country.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) say immigrants should be required to learn English before they are allowed to become citizens. Fourteen percent (14%) disagree.

Sixty-four percent (64%) believe U.S. schools should teach all students in English. Twenty-nine percent (29%) believe some schools should offer courses in different languages.

Similar attitudes were found in a February survey showing overwhelming opposition to letting illegal aliens obtain drivers licenses or receive government benefits such as Medicaid.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of Republicans say that learning English should be required before citizenship is offered. That view is also held by 78% of Democrats and 73% of those not affiliated with either major party.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Republicans believe that immigrants should adopt U.S. culture. Sixty-three percent (63%) of Democrats share that view along with 58% of unaffiliateds.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

Our publications provide real-time information on consumer confidence, investor confidence, employment data, the political situation, and other topics of value and interest.

During Election 2004, RasmussenReports.com was the top-ranked public opinion research site on the web. We had twice as many visitors as our nearest competitor and nearly as many as all competitors combined.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.