GSS 1972-2024 Cumulative Datafile - Release 3

How do you feel about bilingual education? Are you strongly in favor 
of it, somewhat in favor of it, somewhat opposed to it, or strongly 
opposed to it?

There are several different ideas about how to teach children who 
don't speak English when they enter our public schools. Please look 
at the card and tell me which statement best describes how you feel: 
All classes should be conducted only in English so that children have 
to learn English right from the start.1 
Children who don't know English should have classes in their native 
language just for a year or two until they learn English......... 2 
Students who want to keep up with their native languages and cultures 
should be able to take many of the classes in Spanish or other 
languages All the way through high school......3

Do you believe that election ballots should be printed only in 
English, or in areas where lots of people don't speak English, should 
they also be printed in some other languages?

Do you favor a law making English the official language of the United 
States, meaning government business would be conducted in English 
only, or do you oppose such a law?

Do you think the number of immigrants from foreign countries who are 
permitted to come to the United States to live should be increased a 
lot, increased a little, left the same as it is now, decreased a 
little, or decreased a lot?

Compared to 10 years ago do Hispanics and Asians make up a larger 
share of the population in your local community, the same share, or a 
smaller share?

What do you think will happen as a result of more immigrants coming 
to this country?  Is each of these possible results very likely, 
somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely? 
B. Higher unemployment.

What do you think will happen as a result of more immigrants coming 
to this country?  Is each of these possible results very likely, 
somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely? 
C. Making it harder to keep the country united.

Under current law, immigrants who come from other countries to the 
United States legally are entitled, from the very beginning, to 
government assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps, or welfare on 
the same basis as citizens. But some people say they should not be 
eligible until they have lived here for a year or more. Which do you 
think? Do you think that immigrants who are here legally should be 
eligible for such services as soon as they come, or should they not 
be eligible?

Under current law, immigrants who come from other countries to the 
United States legally are entitled, from the very beginning, to 
government assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps, or welfare on 
the same basis as citizens. But some people say they should not be 
eligible until they have lived here for a year or more. Which do you 
think? Do you think that immigrants who are here legally should be 
eligible for such services as soon as they come, or should they not 
be eligible?' 
A. What about "undocumented aliens," that is, those who have 
immigrated to this country illegally? 
1. Should illegal immigrants be entitled to work permits, or not?

Under current law, immigrants who come from other countries to the 
United States legally are entitled, from the very beginning, to 
government assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps, or welfare on 
the same basis as citizens. But some people say they should not be 
eligible until they have lived here for a year or more. Which do you 
think? Do you think that immigrants who are here legally should be 
eligible for such services as soon as they come, or should they not 
be eligible?' 
A. What about "undocumented aliens," that is, those who have 
immigrated to this country illegally? 
2. Should they be entitled to attend public universities at the same 
costs as other students, or not?

Under current law, immigrants who come from other countries to the 
United States legally are entitled, from the very beginning, to 
government assistance such as Medicaid, food stamps, or welfare on 
the same basis as citizens. But some people say they should not be 
eligible until they have lived here for a year or more. Which do you 
think? Do you think that immigrants who are here legally should be 
eligible for such services as soon as they come, or should they not 
be eligible?' 
A. What about "undocumented aliens," that is, those who have 
immigrated to this country illegally? 
3. Should they be entitled to have their children continue to qualify 
as American citizens if born in the United States, or not?

Now I'm going to read you some statements and would like to get your 
reaction to them. After I read each statement, please tell me if you 
strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, or 
strongly disagree with the statement.
A. Immigrants are getting too demanding in their push for equal 
rights.

Now I'm going to read you some statements and would like to get your 
reaction to them. After I read each statement, please tell me if you 
strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, or 
strongly disagree with the statement. 
B. The Irish, Italians, Jews, and many other minorities overcame 
prejudice and worked their way up. Today's immigrants should do the 
same without any special favors.