central florida leadership survey hispanic summit 2007

Central Florida Leadership SurveyHispanic Summit 2007

May 29-June 3, 2007

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Central Florida Leadership Survey

Sample of 702 respondents taken from a population of registered voters Base sample of 502 registered voters. supplemented by over-

sample of 200 Hispanic voters Final results weighted to reflect the known percentage of registered

voters with Hispanic surnames

Interviews conducted May 29-June 3, 2007

Typical interview was about 10 minutes

Sampling error of ±3.7% for results based on full sample of 702 ± 4.5% for Anglo subsample, n=481 ± 6.5% for Hispanic subsample, n=217

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Key findings

Although Hispanics seeking the American Dream in Central Florida think of discrimination as a problem, they are less likely than Hispanics in the rest of nation to feel victimized by discrimination.

Hispanics and Anglos agree that today’s immigrants posses strong family values and work hard at jobs other Americans don’t want, but they disagree over the assimilation of immigrants into society and extent of social problems caused by immigration. Healthcare and education impacts are flash-points.

Older Anglos are most pessimistic about immigration while younger female Anglos are most optimistic.

The status quo in legal immigration policies is preferred. Solid majorities of both Hispanics and Anglos endorse a path to

permanent legal status for illegal immigrants. Neither political party is seen as offering better immigration

policies.

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WHO are the Hispanics of

Central Florida, and HOW are they doing?

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Most reside in Orange, metro Orlando area

PercentageTOTAL 100%Orange 44Seminole 16Osceola 14Lake 2Volusia 11Polk 7Brevard 6

MetroOrlando

76%

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Most hail from Puerto Rico,but Mexico is soaring

PercentageTOTAL 100%Puerto Rico 44Mexico 13South America 10Caribbean 9Cuba 8Central America 8Europe 5Other/refused 3

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No opinion4%

Latino10%

Hispanic 16%

No preference

70%

Note: percentages do not add up to 100% due to rounding.

No preference for ethnic terminology

Which term do you prefer, Hispanic or Latino?

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Hispanics skew much younger than Anglos

Hispanics Years of age Anglos

100% TOTAL 100%

41 18 - 34 18

9 35 - 39 5

21 40 – 49 20

15 50 - 59 20

8 60 – 69 19

6 70 or older 18

41 yrs MEAN 53 yrs

+23 points over Anglos

Two or three times more than Hispanics

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Hispanics are much newer voters

Hispanics YEARSREGISTERED

Anglos

56% Under 5 32%

31 5 to 12 31

13 Over 12 37

+ 24 points vs. Anglos

+ 24 pointsvs. Hispanics

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Independence from any party

Hispanics Anglos

22% Republican 46%

39 Democrat 33

39 Independent 21

- 24 points under Anglos

+ 18 points over Anglos

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Parity at top of socio-economic ladder, but Hispanics crowd lower rung

Hispanics Income + education

Anglos

50% Low 36%

24 Medium 35

26 High 29

+14 points more than

Anglos

Parity

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Discrimination thought a genuine obstacleHispanic responses only

Minor problem

34%

No opinion2%

Major problem

34%

Yes68%

Think discrimination is a problem preventing Hispanics from succeeding in America?


No31%

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Hispanics vs. Anglos: Different realities

67%

39%31%

51%

Hispanic Anglo

Yes Not a problem


Even Anglos who accept the reality of discrimination think of

it as a minor, not a major, problem

(10% major; 29% minor)

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Central Florida Hispanics perceive less discrimination than do all U.S. Hispanics

Minor problem

34%

No opinion2%

Major problem

34%

Yes68%



No31%

Pew Hispanic Center6/5 – 7/3, 2006 2,000 nationwideHispanic adults

US/Pew: 15%

US/Pew: 58%

US/Pew: 24%

US/Pew: 82%

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Ultimately, Hispanic optimism triumphs

35%

40%

48%

31%

18%

29%

Hispanic

Anglo

Right direction Wrong track Unsure

Direction things are headed in your part of Florida?


Anglos are +17 points more

pessimistic than Hispanics

16

The problem of immigration,

and perceptions of

immigrants

17

Concern over illegal immigration is widespread and intense

All respondents

Somewhat concerned

30%

Very concerned

49%

Not too concerned

13%

Not at all concerned

8%

Concerned79%

18

54%

39%

29%

27%

11%

16%

5%

18%Hispanic

Anglo

Very Somewhat Not too Not at all

Anglo worries outpace Hispanic

How concerned are you about illegal immigration?

Anglos are +15 points more

“very” concerned than Hispanics

19

Conservative, senior Anglos worry most(% “very concerned,” selected categories of Anglos)

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But most Anglos acknowledgethat Latin American immigrants...

94% 94% 90%74% 76%

60%

Work very hard Have strong familyvalues

Mostly take jobsAmericans don't want

Hispanic AngloPercentage “Yes” shown

21

Central FL opinions roughly match national sentiment about key jobs issue

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100% due to rounding.

US/NYT: 30%

US/NYT: 12%

US/NYT: 59%

New York Times (NYT) Poll: 5/18 – 5/23, 2007

1,125 adults in U.S.

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What worries central Florida Anglos most

today about immigrationand immigrants?

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Anglos especially don’t perceive assimilation like in years pastPerceived willingness of immigrants to adapt to

American way of life, compared to those in early 1900s

~6:1 margin is stark and troubling

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Many Anglos are nervous about immigrants’ social impact

26%

61%

35%39%

23%

45%

Often end up onwelfare?

Do very well inschool?

Significantlyincrease crime?

Hispanic Anglo

Latin American immigrants...?

Percentage “Yes” shown

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Most Anglos (and many Hispanics) say hospitals, schools are besieged

Latin American immigrants overburden local hospitals & school districts?

52%

34%

28%

56%

Hispanic

Anglo

Yes No

Note: “Unsure” and “refused” not shown

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Most Anglos and plurality of Hispanics want quicker adoption of English

Think most recent immigrants learn English within a reasonable amount of

time?


27

Central FL opinions roughly match national

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100% due to rounding.

US/ NYT: 31%

US/NYT: 7%

US/NYT: 62%



Think most recent immigrants learn English within a reasonable amount of

time?

28

Hispanics are satisfied (Anglos less so) with ESL programs

Effectiveness of public school ESL courses teaching English?

16%

45%

33%

26%

17%

15%

13%

8%

Hispanic

Anglo

Very Somewhat Not very Not at all

Note: “Unsure” and “refused” responses are not shown; many Anglos are unsure re: ESL courses

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Bottom line is positive for Hispanics, a muddle for Anglos

Point-of-view closest to your own: Immigrants today “strengthen the country” vs. “are a burden”?

34%

73%

39%

16%

13%

5%

Hispanic

Anglo

Strengthens country Burden Both


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What do Central Floridians want to do on key “hot-button”

immigration issues?•Visas and legal immigration

•In-state college tuition•Amending constitution for “birthright”

citizenship•Border Security

•Amnesty

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Status quo on legal immigration is plurality preference, but as many Hispanics want boost

Hispanics: 34%

Hispanics: 34%

Hispanics: 18%

Anglos: 43%

Anglos: 27%

Anglos: 19%


US/NYT: 35%

US/NYT: 20%

US/NYT: 39%



Legal immigration should be...?

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Support for holding steady with current levels of HB1 visas

Level of temporary, high-skilled worker visas should be...?

Hispanics: 42% Anglos: 13%

Anglos: 50%

Anglos: 27%

Hispanics: 41%

Hispanics: 10%

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On the surface, a balance of opinion about in-state tuition for children of illegals ....

Yes49%

No opinion6%

No45%

Illegals who graduate from FL high schools should be given in-state college tuition

rates?

34

... but topline numbers mask deep ethnic divisions

Illegals who graduate from FL high schools should be given in-state college tuition rates?

43%

72%

52%

19%

Hispanic

Anglo

Yes No


- 29 point difference

35

Hispanics united, Anglos divided on birthright citizenship

Amend Constitution so parents mustbe legal residents for newborn to be

citizen?


36

Anglos most in “favor” of amending constitution to limit citizenship

Conservatives, retirees, Republicans, males

56%53%53%

52%51%50%50%50%50%

48%48%

47%46%

Conservative

Retired

Male 50+ yrs

GOP

40-59 yrs

Female 50+ yrs

More than $70K

60+ yrs

High SES

Male

Some college

Moderate

TOTAL

37

Anglos most opposed to amending constitution to limit citizenship

Liberals, young, low-income, Democrats

69%61%

58%58%57%57%

53%52%51%

49%49%48%

Liberal

18-39 yrs

$30K or less

Democratic

Female 18-49 yrs

Male 18-49 yrs

Full-time employed

$31K-$70K

Medium SES

College graduate

Male

TOTAL

38

Most Anglos and many Hispanicsare ready to spend more on border security

To prevent illegal immigration, government should...?

65%

32%

11%

25%

17%

34%

Hispanic

Anglo

Spend more Spend less Spend about the same


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Solid majorities of Hispanics and Anglos endorse a path to permanent legal status

Illegals currently in U.S. should be allowed to...?

27%

7%

11%

14%

56%

78%

Hispanic

Anglo

Deport all Work for limited time Remain, become citizens


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Taking all issues into account, which central

Florida Anglos are most and least favorable to

immigrants and immigration?

41

Multi-item scale of attitudes toward immigration points to young Anglo females as best friend of immigrants

50%

45%

45%

37%

36%

36%

35%

31%

Female 18-49 yrs

18-39 yrs

Liberal

Independent; other party

$31K-$70K

More than $70K

High SES

TOTAL

Select categories of highest scale scores, Anglos only

42

Multi-item scale of attitudes toward immigration identifies retirees as least friendly to immigrants

40%

38%

37%

34%

33%

27%

Retired

Male 50+ yrs

Conservative

High school or less

Low SES

TOTAL

Select categories of lowest scale scores, Anglos only

43

Neither political party is seen as having the “best position” on immigration

Hispanics: 35%

Hispanics: 16%Hispanics: 17%

Anglos: 24%Anglos: 28%

Anglos: 26%


central florida leadership survey hispanic summit 2007

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