Polls, leaders say many blacks support illegal immigrants

Influential African Americans across the country back up recent polls showing strong black support for illegal immigrants and for Senate proposals to offer them work permits and a path to citizenship.

Although polls show frustration in black communities over a perceived loss of low-wage jobs to illegal immigrants, they also indicate the issue is not dampening African Americans' sympathy with the struggles of Latinos, who make up the vast majority of recent immigrants to the United States.

Jobs and immigration are separate issues for blacks, although some analysts have seized on findings such as Pew Hispanic Center's in March that one-third of African Americans it polled feel immigrants take jobs away from Americans.

"The debate is being used to divide," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

Bernard Anderson, a black economist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania who has been quoted in newspaper articles about the impact of immigrants, said there is no question illegal immigration has reduced employment opportunities at the low end of the service sector.

But immigration is not a viable wedge issue, he said.

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