Mass Opinion. Americans are more concerned that steps be taken to halt the flow of immigrants slipping in at the border than they are about the government developing a plan for dealing with the illegal immigrants already living here. Americans also believe that illegal immigration can be reduced by instituting tough penalties .for businesses that hire illegal immigrants. But Americans also believe that undocumented immigrants currently living here should be given a path to citizenship (63 percent) as opposed to the more drastic action of deporting them (18 percent). Among those who support a path to citizenship, the most common requirements mentioned are: have a job (89 percent), learn to speak English (84 percent), pass a health screening test (83 percent), pay all taxes owed on past income earned in the United States (Bl percent),and have lived in United States for'at least five years (67 percent).