Inside the Life of the Migrants Next Door

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 By NATHAN THORNBURGH
RICH MAN: Mario Coria, here at his five-bedroom residence in Tuxpan, was the first from his hometown to work in the Hamptons
KEITH DANNEMILLER FOR TIME
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BACK AT THE QUINCEAÑERA in Bridgehampton, the festivities continued, yet the price and the promises of immigration were never far out of mind. Julio Sr. was there, but his wife and sons were 2,000 miles away in Tuxpan. Pancho was still in Mexico, so his wife Ruth waltzed with their daughter Samantha, 3. Gabriel sat with his arm around his wife Jani and talked about how their daughter Lena, 8, born in the Hamptons, could petition to obtain permanent legal residency for her parents in 2015, when she turns 18. "But by then," he said, as if suddenly remembering, "I really hope we're living in Tuxpan." [This article consists of a complex diagram. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

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TIME POLL A majority say illegals are a real problem ...

How serious a problem is illegal immigration into the U.S.? Extremely 30% Very 33%

Somewhat 26% Not very 8%

83% are concerned that providing social services for illegal immigrants costs taxpayers too much

71% are concerned that illegal immigrants increase crime

56% think illegal immigrants are taking jobs that citizens don't want

... although few say they are personally affected ... Do you pay less for some items or services because of low-wage illegalimmigrant labor? Yes 17% No 71%

61% said they have had some kind of contact with people they believed to be illegal immigrants

5% said they had hired someone they thought might be illegal to work around the house

14% said they had hired a contractor or company that may have used illegal immigrants

... they still want more done about it

Is the government doing enough to keep illegal immigrants from entering the U.S.? Yes 21%* No 74%

50% said all illegal immigrants should be deported, but:

76% think illegal immigrants should be able to earn citizenship

73% favor guest-worker registration for those already here

64% favor issuing temporary work visas for seasonal work