2012 Decoded

Americans are closely divided overall, but sharply split along racial, age, class and partisan lines, about immigration's impact on the nation, according to an exhaustive new study of public opinion.

When asked if "the growing number of newcomers threaten traditional American values," Americans divided about exactly in half, with 46 percent agreeing and 48 percent disagreeing in the Pew Research Center's massive 2012 Values Survey released Monday. But that close balance masks large fissures between key groups.

Hispanics, not surprisingly are the least suspicious of the new arrivals: just 29 percent say newcomers threaten American values, while 62 percent disagree. African-Americans, who often express concern in polls about economic competition with immigrants, are the most suspicious: 61 percent say newcomers threaten American values, while 34 percent disagree. Whites divided almost evenly, with 48 percent agreeing that newcomers are a threat and 47 percent disagreeing.