A recent poll jointly commissioned by NBC television and the Wall Street Journal indicates that much of the public maintains anti-immigrant sentiment even though the economy is strong and unemployment remains at historic lows. One of the questions asked of half of those polled was the following:

Which of the following questions do you agree with more:

Statement A: Some people believe that we should increase the number of immigrants who are let into the country because they fill a number of jobs that many companies are having trouble filling.

OR

Statement B: Others believe that we should not increase the number of immigrants who are let in, because they will take jobs that Americans should have and will ultimately result in higher unemployment. Which of these do you agree with more?

Statement A/should increase the number of immigrants let in - 20% agreed

Statement B/should not increase the number of immigrants let in - 72% agreed

Not sure - 8%

The second half of those polled were asked the following:

Many computer and software companies are experiencing a shortage of trained workers. Do you believe that we should or should not change our immigration policies to allow more people trained in these fields to come into the United States?

Should change our immigration policies - 21%

Should not change our immigration policies - 72%

Not sure - 7%