2006 National Survey of Latinos: The Immigration Debate

Latinos are feeling more discriminated against, politically energized and unified following the immigration policy debate and the pro-immigration marches this spring, according to the 2006 National Survey of Latinos conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center.

More than half (54 percent) of Latinos surveyed say they see an increase in discrimination as a result of the policy debate, and three-quarters (75 percent) say the debate will prompt many more Latinos to vote in November. Almost two-thirds (63 percent) think the pro-immigrant marches this year signal the beginning of a new and lasting social movement. And a majority (58 percent) now believes Hispanics are working together to achieve common goals — a marked increase from 2002, when 43 percent expressed confidence in Latino unity. 54 percent of Latinos see an increase in discrimination as a result of the debate over immigration reform.

The 2006 National Survey of Latinos was conducted by telephone among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Hispanic adults from June 5 to July 3, 2006. The survey has a margin of error of 3.8 percent for the full sample.