The problem of illegal immigrants remains at the center of America’s attention. Politicians (especially presidential candidates) devote an impressive amount of time to it in their programs, while journalists note that this issue has never before caused so much tension and opposition in our country.

There are many causes of the anti-immigration feelings that have recently swept across America. First of all, the majority of immigrants (both legal and illegal) are from Spanish-speaking countries. Many of our fellow citizens believe that they are changing the face of the country, giving it a "Latin" flavor.

Second of all, there has never before been such a large number of illegal immigrants in America. Almost 70 percent of illegal immigrants are, again, Mexicans and immigrants from other Latin American countries. Not all Spanish-speaking immigrants see America as the country of their dreams; some of them do not even hide their hostile attitude towards the country.

Finally, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans started to view immigrants not only as outsiders who take jobs away from Americans, but also as potential terrorists who pose a threat to the country’s security. For many Americans the problem of immigration has also become a security problem.

How do Russian-speaking Americans feel about undocumented immigrants?

How will the problem of illegal immigrants affect the way Russian-speakers vote for president?

We posed these questions to Russian-speaking politicians, public figures, journalists and professionals.

Alec Brook-Krasny, New York State Assemblyman

I think the majority of Russian-speaking legal immigrants are hostile towards illegal immigrants. First of all, Russians, like representatives of other ethnic communities, fear that the undocumented will take jobs away from them.

Secondly, we – immigrants from the former USSR – are not known for tolerance.

Unfortunately, Americans, including politicians, have also recently become more intolerant: traditional American respect for different opinions, for people from other communities and other countries is gradually fading, and this is frightening. This atmosphere, of course, does not make it easier for us, Russians, to change and to become more tolerant.

Sam Kliger, director of Russian Jewish Affairs at the American Jewish Committee:

Russian-speaking Americans have conflicting feelings about illegal immigrants. On the one hand, we feel sympathy for Russian-speaking illegal immigrants (and they do make up a portion of our community). On the other hand, we are not well-disposed to the multitude of illegal immigrants from developing countries, particularly Latin America. Many believe that the invasion of Spanish-speaking illegal immigrants has changed the face of the country, made schools worse, led to an increase in crime, and presented a threat to national security.

I think Russians will vote for the candidate that stands for compromise in solving the immigration problem, someone who will increase security at the borders and who will decide the fate of illegal immigrants based on their dependability.

Walter Ruby, journalist at Jewish Week:

I have had the chance to discuss this topic with a group of leaders in the Russian-speaking community, and many of them do not hide their hostile feelings towards new immigrants, especially immigrants from developing countries. Some even stated that the United States should only admit Europeans, among which they include Russians and Russian-speaking Jews. I reminded them of the notorious law passed by Congress in the 1920s and remaining in effect until the 1960s. This law encouraged the flow of immigrants from Western Europe and threw up barricades in the path of immigrants from other countries. It was because of this disgraceful law that the majority of Jews in Eastern European countries occupied by Germany could not come to America and ended up in death camps...

Their reaction told me that they had never heard of this law or about how many Americans used to treat Jewish immigrants with disdain. I also understood that even the most educated Russian-speaking immigrants still have a lot to learn about American history.

To make it worse, one young woman – a lawyer – announced that Russian-speaking immigrants work honestly and make a great contribution to the economy, while Mexicans and Africans are all on welfare and are fleecing America. Honestly, I was shocked by the hypocrisy of this point of view. Everyone knows that many, many Russian-speaking immigrants benefit from all kinds of social programs, while Mexicans work very hard and take on the hardest jobs. Is the memory of Russians really so short? Do they really lack any feelings of basic sympathy?

Iosef Lekarev, chairman of the board of directors of the American Association of Jews from the Former USSR:

I think most of us are for the gradual legalization of undocumented immigrants who are already in the country. First of all, Russians are generally humane. Next, we understand that illegal immigrants make a large contribution to the country's economy. America, including Russian businesses, need labor. I think that we will support candidates that are at once humane and practical in their approach to illegal immigrants.

Rimma Kharlamova, social worker:

Many Russians divide the problem of illegal immigration into two parts: the problem of illegal immigrants who are already in the country, and the problem of those who might come here in the future. We can put up with the illegal immigrants who are already here, unless, of course, they start dragging America through the mud and drain it of all its juices. But we are categorically opposed to new arrivals. And no historical excursions or reminders that illegal immigrants built America will change our minds. The times are changing and we are changing with them. And we will support the candidate who keeps pace with time.

Ilya Levkov, owner of Liberty Publishing House:

Russian-speaking immigrants are generally to the left of the center on domestic policy and to the right of the center on foreign policy. In this respect, Russians have a conflicting nature. The problem is deepened by the fact that most Russian-speaking legal immigrants are Jewish and most illegal Russian-speaking immigrants are ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, Georgians, etc. This means that the attitude of "Russians" to illegal immigrants will depend on their attitude toward their former Soviet "brothers."

Dr. Oleg Gutnik:

Illegal immigrants are essentially people who have broken the law. I think most Russian-speaking Americans consider illegal immigrants violators of the law and treat them accordingly. We are ourselves immigrants, and the problem of immigration is important for us in voting for a presidential candidate. But it is not one of the five most important issues. The issues of national security, the war in Iraq, taxes, education and healthcare are more important to us.

Irina Starikov, economist:

The attitude of Russian-speaking Americans to illegal (and even legal) immigration can be expressed in one sentence: “We came to America and let’s not let anyone else come here.” The worse the government (or candidates for political office) treat new immigrants, the better we will relate to the government (and candidates). The exception, of course, is our close relatives, whom we are trying to drag here by any means possible. But overall, the problem of immigration is far from the most important for us. The candidate's views on the economy and national security are much more important.

Savely Kaplinsky, member of the board of directors of the Association of Former Prisoners of Ghettos and Concentration Camps:

Young Russian-speaking people take a conservative stance on most issues, including that of illegal immigration. Therefore, they will vote for Republicans because of their firm approach to illegal immigrants. Middle-aged and elderly Russian-speaking immigrants are very tolerant of illegal immigrants, particularly those who came here a long time ago, had children here, are loyal to America, work honestly, pay taxes and are law-abiding.

Boris Rabiner, television anchor for RTN-WMNB:

Half of all Russians have unfortunately forgotten that we were once immigrants too. The other half are more practical and believe that illegal immigration is a fact of American life and that all illegal immigrants, with the exception of criminals, have the right to live in this country. However, the immigration problem is not a matter of top priority for us. Our community's priorities include social problems, the relationship with Israel and homeland security.

Boris Livshitz, programmer:

I think that young Russian-speakers feel sympathy for illegal immigrants. Most of our young people studied and were raised in America. We no longer have a Soviet mentality. We have become Americanized, unlike our parents and grandparents. We do not have that bitterness, that urge to assail any enemy, real or imagined. This is why we will support politicians who also sympathize with illegal immigrants.

Middle-aged and elderly Russians are even more conservative on issues of illegal immigrants than the most conservative Republicans.

Margarita Zak, doctor’s assistant:

Most Russian-speaking Americans are decidedly against illegal immigrants. And this troubles me to the depths of my soul. After all, many of us unashamedly lied during our interviews at the American Embassy so that we would be allowed into the United States. We claimed that we were being persecuted and oppressed, when this was not the case at all. In other words, we are also in a sense illegal. So why do they despise people who also want to come here, settle down and provide for their families?

I will vote for the candidate who has the most liberal approach to undocumented immigrants.