Immigration News: 54% Of Citizens Say U.S. 'Should Be A Country With Basic American Culture'

A new poll in the New York Times has found conflicting attitudes among Americans regarding immigration. While 65 percent of respondents agreed that the United States is a country made up of many cultures and values, a vast majority said that this is not how they envision the country. 54 percent of those surveyed said "it should be a country with a basic American culture and values." Notwithstanding, a majority of people aged under 45 agreed it should remain multicultural.

Immigration reform was also divisive, particularly when it came to how resources should be utilized. According to the Times, "50 percent said the federal government should focus more on protecting the border and stopping the flow of illegal immigrants, nearly the same percentage, 46 percent, said government should focus on helping those who are already here become part of the broader society." The findings were part of an investigation into the changing situation across the U.S.-Mexico border.

The New York Times is conducting an in-depth report into the journey of immigration into the United States, starting at Laredo, Texas and journeying up into Minnesota. The report reveals a New York Times reporter and photographer will "explore what is happening at the community level by following the road that is Texas’ central artery and a main entrance to the American heartland: Interstate 35." The first report focuses on the predominantly hispanic city of Laredo.