The immigration issue is a gateway issue for Hispanics, no doubt about it.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Undoubtedly, there are numerous problems with the immigration system here in The United States.
Much of what we now consider to be problems concerning immigration and assimilation really concern Mexican immigration and assimilation.
But then I came to the conclusion that no, while there may be an immigration problem, it isn't really a serious problem. The really serious problem is assimilation.
We're at a point right now in our development in this country - setting the immigration issue aside - that you can't ignore the sheer population of us in metropolitan areas all across the country, of how significant Latino-ness is in the United States.
Most Hispanics are concerned with the same issues other Americans are - the economy, jobs, education. Similar to Main Street America.
I don't know whether the number of any particular Latino group has made or will make any particular difference in the issues that I am concerned with.
Immigration is important. We're a nation of immigrants.
Our nation's immigration policy has been of top concern in recent years, and for good reason. With between eight and twelve million illegal aliens in the United States, it is obviously a problem out of control.
Immigration is not the top issue for Latinos. Latinos are like every other American - economy, jobs, healthcare, education.
Immigration is a gateway basically. It's a check-off point for Latino voters.