UNA ECONOMISTS RELEASE ALABAMA IMMIGRATION SURVEY RESULTS
July 7, 2008
By Eric Hanback
UNA Student Writer
FLORENCE, Ala. — The Alabama League of Economists and the Center for Public Policy and Economic Research, both housed at the University of North Alabama, have released the results of a recent survey on Alabama immigration issues.
The survey, conducted in late spring, polled professional economists in the state on their views of current immigration topics.
David L. Black, executive director of the league and economics professor at UNA, said the topic of immigration was covered because it is a relevant issue facing the state.
The results of the survey follow:
Eighty-nine percent do not favor an amnesty program for existing illegal aliens.
Forty-two percent believe illegal immigration helps the national economy, while thirty-seven percent believe it is harmful.
Fifty-six percent believe illegal immigration depresses wages of legal residents in the long run, compared with thirty-seven percent who do not. Six percent believe that wage depression would only be affected in a few industries.
Fifty-eight percent believe employers of illegal immigration should be punished, compared with 26 percent who do not. Fifteen percent said it depended on the details of the case.
Forty-seven percent believe illegal immigration represents a significant threat to national security, while 53 percent do not.
Most economists said they would change their support for a candidate who favored an open border.
Black said the research conducted by the league is not meant to sway public policy in any direction but is done only to provide sufficient information so that appropriate actions could be taken if necessary.
Timothy Collins, undergraduate economics major, assisted in the survey. For more information, contact Black at 765-4524 or dblack@una.edu.
