MOSCOW, August 7 (RIA Novosti) - Up to 70 percent of Americans are worried that undocumented immigrants pose a threat to the culture and economy of the United States, Reuters reported Thursday citing a poll it conducted in conjunction with research company Ipsos.
Despite the White House and the US Chamber of Commerce saying legal immigration benefits businesses, 63 percent of those surveyed said immigrants are a burden weighing on the country’s economy. Americans are also concerned that immigrants might take advantage of Obamacare.
According to the poll, 45 percent of Americans believe the number of immigrants admitted into the United States should be reduced, 38 percent said the number should not change and 17 percent were ready to welcome more immigrants.
US President Barack Obama is considering acting independently of Congress and loosening US immigration policy, which has led to Republicans accusing the president of operating outside the law. In a separate vote, Republicans also decided to file a lawsuit against Obama on charges of overstepping his authority with Obamacare.
The immigration problem is especially acute for the United States in light of the ongoing influx of Central Americans to the country, with thousands of unaccompanied children crossing the border with Mexico each year. President Obama unsuccessfully asked Congress for $3.7 billion to respond to the crisis. The largest numbers of immigrants come from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico.
