My ancestors came to this country as immigrants (mainly from Ireland) many decades ago. Were the "legal" or "illegal" immigrants. I honestly don't know, and I really don't care. What I do know is that they stayed, became citizens, and helped to develop this country -- and that allowed me to be born and be a citizen of the United States.
Because of that, I am convinced that immigrants (regardless of documentation) strengthen this country because of their hard work and talent. And a significant majority of Americans agree with me on that -- with 55% saying immigrants strengthen American and 36% saying immigrants are a burden on the country.
The map above, from the Public Religion Research Institute, shows the percentage in each state believing immigrants strengthen this country. Majorities in 30 states believe that, and two other states have 50% who believe it. Only a minority believe that in the other 18 states (although that minority belief is a plurality in 12 of those states). That means in 44 out of our 50 states, more people believe immigrants strengthen our country than believe they are a burden to it.
Only five states have 50% or more who believe immigrants are a burden -- Alabama (50%), Maine (51%), Mississippi (52%), West Virginia (52%), and Wyoming (51%). Interestingly enough, all of the states with the most immigrants, including all of the states on our southern border, have significant majorities believing immigrants strengthen this country.
My take on immigrants is that most immigrants I know are better Americans than Americans. They're hard working, industrious, courageous, family oriented, church-going kind hondest and morally straight people. (Yes, I know that you don't have to be church-going to be a moral person, just sayin' what they do). Everything we say Americans should be. But often aren't.
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