Amigo o Enemigo?: Context, Attitudes, and Anglo Public Opinion toward Immigration

• Published in: Social science quarterly Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 309 - 323
• Main Authors: Hood, M. V., Morris, Irwin L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austin, Tex University of Texas Press 01.06.1997; University of Texas Press, in cooperation with the Southwestern Social Science Association; University of Texas at Austin (University of Texas Press)
• Subjects: Anglo-American people; Asian Americans; Asians; Attitudes; California; Demography; Ethnic Relations; ETHNICITY AND ETHNIC GROUPS; Hispanic Americans; Hispanics; Immigrants; Immigration; Immigration policy; International migration; Liberalism; Migration policy; Minority & ethnic groups; Political attitudes; Population growth; Population size; Prejudices; PUBLIC OPINION; RACE RELATIONS; Refugees; Regional Differences; Social Attitudes; The Attitudes; United States; United States of America; Whites
• ISSN: 0038-4941; 1540-6237

Objective. This article examines the effects of racial and ethnic context and various attitudinal and demographic variables on Anglo public opinion toward immigration. Methods. We use ordered probit to analyze nationwide survey and census data relating to immigration. Results. Anglos living in close proximity to large Asian populations are more likely than racially and ethnically isolated Anglos to favor increased immigration. Likewise, Anglos who have more positive impressions of Asians and Hispanics and their potential impact on society favor more liberal immigration policies than do other Anglos. We also find that Californians favor more restrictive immigration policies than do other Americans. Conclusions. Our findings demonstrate that Anglo public opinion on immigration has prominent racial and ethnic components. Although the policy implications of these findings are rather unclear, it is obvious that we can no longer ignore the impact of racial and ethnic context on public opinion toward immigration.