MCALLEN, RGV – The Lone Star State would have very different policies when it comes to immigration, border security and trade with Mexico if Texas Latinos were in the majority.
According to a new “Hispanic Poll” conducted for Telemundo by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc., Texas Hispanics are strongly opposed to a Border Wall, Senate Bill 4 and President Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.
A huge majority of Latinos from the Lone Star State – 68 percent – say undocumented immigrants help the state’s economy. Only seven percent say they hurt the Texas economy.
By closer margins, Texas Hispanics are in favor of increasing state funding for Border Patrol and having the Texas National Guard used to support border security.
And, by a two to one majority, Texas Latinos believe current trade and economic agreements between Texas and Mexico, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, help the state’s economy.
There are regional variations among Texas Hispanics, with those living along the border far less likely to support a Border Wall. In fact, a whopping 89 percent of Latinos living in the Brownsville/McAllen area are opposed to a Border Wall.
Opposition to local law enforcement being required to help enforce the Texas SB4 immigration law was also much stronger in the border communities of Brownsville/McAllen and El Paso.
Here are the Questions and Answers:
QUESTION: Do you support or oppose increasing state funding for border patrol?
Across the State of Texas, 56 percent supported, 33 percent opposed, and 11 percent were undecided.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 52 percent support, 36 percent oppose, and 12 percent were undecided
Houston: 51 percent support, 39 percent oppose, and 10 percent were undecided
San Antonio: 60 percent support, 24 percent oppose, and 16 percent were undecided
Brownsville/McAllen: 59 percent support, 34 percent oppose, and 7 percent were undecided
El Paso: 62 percent support, 30 percent oppose, and 8 percent were undecided
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 61 percent support, 32 percent oppose, and 7 percent were undecided
Women: 52 percent support, 34 percent oppose, and 14 percent were undecided
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 52 percent support, 40 percent oppose, and 8 percent were undecided
50-plus: 60 percent support, 27 percent oppose, and 13 percent were undecided
Party Identification
Democrat: 49 percent support, 39 percent oppose, and 12 percent were undecided
Republican: 79 percent support, 15 percent oppose, and 6 percent were undecided
Independent: 54 percent support, 33 percent oppose, and 13 percent were undecided
QUESTION: Do you feel the Texas National Guard should or should not be used to patrol the state’s border with Mexico?
Across the State of Texas, 51 percent should, 42 percent should not, and 7 percent were not sure.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 46 percent should, 46 percent should not, and 8 percent were not sure
Houston: 50 percent should, 40 percent should not, and 10 percent were not sure
San Antonio: 56 percent should, 40 percent should not, and 4 percent were not sure
Brownsville/McAllen: 54 percent should, 41 percent should not, and 5 percent were not sure
El Paso: 50 percent should, 43 percent should not, and 7 percent were not sure
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 55 percent should, 39 percent should not, and 6 percent were not sure
Women: 48 percent should, 45 percent should not, and 7 percent were not sure
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 45 percent should, 46 percent should not, and 9 percent were not sure
50-plus: 56 percent should, 39 percent should not, and 5 percent were not sure
Party Identification
Democrat: 42 percent should, 52 percent should not, and 6 percent were not sure
Republican: 73 percent should, 19 percent should not, and 8 percent were not sure
Independent: 59 percent should, 33 percent should not, and 8 percent were not sure
QUESTION: Do you feel undocumented immigrants in Texas help the state economy, hurt the state economy or do they have no effect either way?
Across the State of Texas, 68 percent said help, 7 percent said hurt, 21 percent said no effect, and 4 percent said not sure.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 64 percent said help, 10 percent said hurt, 20 percent said no effect, and 6 percent said not sure
Houston: 73 percent said help, 6 percent said hurt, 18 percent said no effect, and 3 percent said not sure
San Antonio: 65 percent said help, 9 percent said hurt, 21 percent said no effect, and 5 percent said not sure
Brownsville/McAllen: 72 percent said help, 3 percent said hurt, 22 percent said no effect, and 3 percent said not sure
El Paso: 73 percent said help, 5 percent said hurt, 20 percent said no effect, and 2 percent said not sure
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 65 percent said help, 11 percent said hurt, 21 percent said no effect, and 3 percent said not sure
Women: 71 percent said help, 4 percent said hurt, 21 percent said no effect, and 4 percent said not sure
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 72 percent said help, 6 percent said hurt, 16 percent said no effect, and 6 percent said not sure
50-plus: 65 percent said help, 7 percent said hurt, 26 percent said no effect, and 2 percent said not sure
Party Identification
Democrat: 74 percent said help, 2 percent said hurt, 21 percent said no effect, and 3 percent said not sure
Republican: 53 percent said help, 21 percent said hurt, 20 percent said no effect, and 6 percent said not sure
Independent: 62 percent said help, 11 percent said hurt, 22 percent said no effect, and 5 percent said not sure
QUESTION: Do you feel current trade and economic agreements between Texas and Mexico, such as NAFTA, help the state economy, hurt the state economy or are they generally balanced?
Across the State of Texas, 41 percent said help, 21 percent said hurt, 23 percent said balanced, and 15 percent said not sure.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 36 percent said help, 27 percent said hurt, 20 percent said balanced, and 17 percent said not sure
Houston: 29 percent said help, 28 percent said hurt, 27 percent said balanced, and 16 percent said not sure
San Antonio: 40 percent said help, 23 percent said hurt, 19 percent said balanced, and 18 percent said not sure
Brownsville/McAllen: 56 percent said help, 9 percent said hurt, 25 percent said balanced, and 10 percent said not sure
El Paso: 53 percent said help, 10 percent said hurt, 25 percent said balanced, and 12 percent said not sure
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 38 percent said help, 26 percent said hurt, 25 percent said balanced, and 11 percent said not sure
Women: 43 percent said help, 16 percent said hurt, 22 percent said balanced, and 19 percent said not sure
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 44 percent said help, 19 percent said hurt, 20 percent said balanced, and 17 percent said not sure
50-plus: 39 percent said help, 22 percent said hurt, 25 percent said balanced, and 14 percent said not sure
Party Identification
Democrat: 47 percent said help, 15 percent said hurt, 22 percent said balanced, and 16 percent said not sure
Republican: 25 percent said help, 34 percent said hurt, 30 percent said balanced, and 11 percent said not sure
Independent: 37 percent said help, 27 percent said hurt, 19 percent said balanced, and 17 percent said not sure
QUESTION: The Texas SB4 immigration law bans sanctuary cities by forcing local officials, public colleges and universities to work with the federal government on immigration enforcement. Do you approve or disapprove of this law?
Across the State of Texas, 30 percent approve, 61 percent disapprove, and 9 percent were not sure.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 39 percent approve, 49 percent disapprove, and 12 percent were not sure
Houston: 28 percent approve, 63 percent disapprove, and 9 percent were not sure
San Antonio: 33 percent approve, 57 percent disapprove, and 10 percent were not sure
Brownsville/McAllen: 22 percent approve, 73 percent disapprove, and 5 percent were not sure
El Paso: 23 percent approve, 70 percent disapprove, and 7 percent were not sure
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 36 percent approve, 57 percent disapprove, and 7 percent were not sure
Women: 24 percent approve, 65 percent disapprove, and 11 percent were not sure
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 21 percent approve, 66 percent disapprove, and 13 percent were not sure
50-plus: 37 percent approve, 57 percent disapprove, and 6 percent were not sure
Party Identification
Democrat: 21 percent approve, 71 percent disapprove, and 8 percent were not sure
Republican: 59 percent approve, 29 percent disapprove, and 12 percent were not sure
Independent: 31 percent approve, 59 percent disapprove, and 10 percent were not sure
QUESTION: Do you feel local law enforcement should or should not be required to help enforce the Texas SB4 immigration law?
Across the State of Texas, 40 percent should, 48 percent should not, and 12 percent were not sure.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 46 percent should, 40 percent should not, and 14 percent were not sure
Houston: 46 percent should, 40 percent should not, and 14 percent were not sure
San Antonio: 44 percent should, 46 percent should not, and 10 percent were not sure
Brownsville/McAllen: 27 percent should, 65 percent should not, and 8 percent were not sure
El Paso: 30 percent should, 57 percent should not, and 13 percent were not sure
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 48 percent should, 43 percent should not, and 9 percent were not sure
Women: 33 percent should, 51 percent should not, and 16 percent were not sure
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 34 percent should, 53 percent should not, and 13 percent were not sure
50-plus: 45 percent should, 43 percent should not, and 12 percent were not sure
Party Identification
Democrat: 30 percent should, 58 percent should not, and 12 percent were not sure
Republican: 69 percent should, 23 percent should not, and 8 percent were not sure
Independent: 43 percent should, 42 percent should not, and 15 percent were not sure
QUESTION: Do you approve or disapprove of the Trump administration’s efforts to secure the border, in part by building a border wall?
Across the State of Texas, 21 percent approve, 73 percent disapprove, and 6 percent were not sure.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 27 percent approve, 65 percent disapprove, and 8 percent were not sure
Houston: 24 percent approve, 70 percent disapprove, and 6 percent were not sure
San Antonio: 20 percent approve, 73 percent disapprove, and 7 percent were not sure
Brownsville/McAllen: 9 percent approve, 87 percent disapprove, and 4 percent were not sure
El Paso: 22 percent approve, 75 percent disapprove, and 3 percent were not sure
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 25 percent approve, 70 percent disapprove, and 5 percent were not sure
Women: 17 percent approve, 76 percent disapprove, and 7 percent were not sure
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 15 percent approve, 81 percent disapprove, and 4 percent were not sure
50-plus: 26 percent approve, 67 percent disapprove, and 7 percent were not sure
Party Identification
Democrat: 7 percent approve, 89 percent disapprove, and 4 percent were not sure
Republican: 61 percent approve, 32 percent disapprove, and 7 percent were not sure
Independent: 26 percent approve, 68 percent disapprove, and 6 percent were not sure
QUESTION: Under the Trump administration’s “Zero Tolerance” Policy, any person caught crossing the border illegally is criminally prosecuted. Do you support or oppose this policy?
Across the State of Texas, 17 percent supported, 77 percent opposed, and 6 percent were undecided.
The regional breakdown was as follows:
Dallas/Fort Worth: 24 percent support, 68 percent oppose, and 8 percent were undecided
Houston: 18 percent support, 77 percent oppose, and 5 percent were undecided
San Antonio: 18 percent support, 76 percent oppose, and 6 percent were undecided
Brownsville/McAllen: 12 percent support, 83 percent oppose, and 5 percent were undecided
El Paso: 7 percent support, 88 percent oppose, and 5 percent were undecided
The breakdown by sex was as follows:
Men: 22 percent support, 73 percent oppose, and 5 percent were undecided
Women: 13 percent support, 80 percent oppose, and 7 percent were undecided
The breakdown by age was as follows:
Under 50: 13 percent support, 84 percent oppose, and 3 percent were undecided
50-plus: 22 percent support, 70 percent oppose, and 8 percent were undecided
Party Identification
Democrat: 11 percent support, 85 percent oppose, and 4 percent were undecided
Republican: 35 percent support, 54 percent oppose, and 11 percent were undecided
Independent: 19 percent support, 73 percent oppose, and 8 percent were undecided
About the Hispanic Poll
The “Hispanic Poll” was conducted for Telemundo by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida from August 20 through August 22, 2018. A total of 625 registered Hispanic voters were interviewed statewide by telephone in Texas. All stated they were likely to vote in the November election.
Those interviewed were randomly selected from a phone-matched Texas voter registration list that included both land-line and cell phone numbers. Quotas were assigned to reflect Hispanic voter registration by county.
The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by statisticians, is no more than four percentage points. This means that there is a 95 percent probability that the “true” figure would fall within that range if all Hispanic voters in Texas were surveyed. The margin for error is higher for any subgroup, such as a gender or age grouping.
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above story shows Telemundo 40 anchors Carlos Sánchez and Dalila Garza.
