This monthly digest is written primarily for the staff of UC Cooperative Extension. It is produced by the staff of ANR's News and Information Outreach in Spanish (NOS) based on news reported by mainstream news media and reputable research institutions. Inclusion in the digest does not imply endorsement, nor does SBMS assume responsibility for the veracity of the information. We invite our readers to refer to the source to read more of each particular brief; we'll try to always include a link.

Three surveys by the Pew Research Center find that among Catholics, mainline Protestants and Evangelicals, those who most frequently attended services held more positive attitudes toward immigration than those who attended church less frequently. This difference was persistent, even after controlling for income, gender, race and education. The three religious groups cited comprise nearly 60 percent of the population. Pew surveys also included secular Americans, who constitute 11 percent of the public. The researchers noted “overwhelming majorities across the religious spectrum see Hispanics in a favorable light and view immigrants from Latin America as a hard-working group with strong family values.” However, in response to questions about the impact of immigration on U.S. society and economy, more negative views are expressed from many more Americans from across the spectrum but differ according to the specific issue. For example, a majority of both the secular and religious respondents to one of the PEW Center’s polls support the gaining of legal working status and possibility of citizenship for undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. several years ago. However, 40 percent believe that immigration should be reduced.

Source: Pew Research Center, “Attitudes Toward Immigration: In the Pulpit and the Pew,” April 26, 2006, http://pewresearch.org/pubs/20/attitudes-toward-immigration-in-the-pulpit-and-the-pew