Majority of Mexicans think life would be better in the U.S., survey finds

Most Mexicans think their lives would be better in the United States, and one in three said they'd move to the U.S. if they could, according to the latest findings on Mexican attitudes from the Pew Global Attitudes Project.

Half of those who said they'd migrate north of the border said they would do so without permission, although recent data on immigration suggests that the flow of Mexicans north is slowing.

President Felipe Calderon's military-led campaign against the country's drug lords and organized-crime networks is "overwhelmingly endorsed" by the majority of Mexicans, although large majorities describe crime (81%) and illegal drugs (73%) as very big problems, according to the study.

Calderon's offensive against organized crime is now in its third year amid rising drug-related violence, but the Pew project reports that most Mexicans believe those anti-crime efforts are effective.

A hefty majority, 66%, say the army is making progress against the traffickers, while only 15% think it is losing ground. Calderon also is well regarded.

The popularity of the tough stance against drug gangs seems to be bolstering support for Calderon. Roughly two-thirds (68%) have a favorable opinion of the president, while only 29% express an unfavorable view.

You can read the report in its entirety on the project's website or download it.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,000 adults in Mexico between May 26 and June 2, 2009, for the Pew report.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Photo: Mexico City's central plaza, or Zocalo. Credit: Deborah Bonello / For The Times

Comments

[rezasantorini]

I don't blame them. But most who do come here, legally or illegally want to make the US like Mexico...they don't want to learn our language, adapt to our culture. They just want us to be Catholic and give them our freebies that they didn't have back home.

[J]

Majority of Mexicans think life would be better in the U.S., survey finds...This article is MISLEADING. If you bother read the report it states, A SUBSTANTIAL MINORITY of Mexicans say that if they had the means and opportunity to go live in the U.S. they would do so, and more than half of those who would migrate if they had the chance say they would do so without authorization. Misleading reports like this are what incite racist rhetoric and hatred toward Mexicans.

[senator dirksen]

The cesspool that the citizens of Mexico made in their own country is no linger fit for them. Fine. krap it up and run out. Why not stay and build your own country instead of bringing you culture that requires bars on the windows to the US.

[Randy L. AZ Resident]

Robert NO longer in LA

My backbone is strong and straight. Is yours?

I yell just as loud about the corruption in our country, eg: Massachusetts and the political stunt with the senate seat and their hypocrisy. Currently we are talking about Mexico.

[John Palmerin]

But ask Mexicans in the States whether they'd like to RETURN to Mexico, and 90% would say YES. Unfortunately, economic circumstances in Mexico deter this.

[Trojan Al]

Bring on the Mexicans! We need the cheap labor! Capitalism at its finest.

[Robert NO longer in LA]

Randy; your comments also apply to US Americans....

'...instead of taking a stand, maybe even dying, for their freedoms and rights, they cave in to free money from cartels and become corrupt and subservient. They allow dictators to rule over them and direct their lives, while the dictators live in luxuery. '

'...others are quick with envy and jealousy and blame us for their ills. None of them felt the desire, pride or necessity to plan and build a country....'

We, turn a blind eye to Clinton/Bush, and the thievery and self-enrichment in Congress , Sacramento and certainly LA.....so where IS our BACKBONE, my friend???

[La Lydia]

Pew is being highly irresponsible in even suggesting the possibility of this. I don't believe anyone is thinking this through. More than 10 percent of Mexico's population has immigrated here already. There are 110 million Mexicans left in Mexico. What would happen to our country if it had to absorb 30 million more Mexicans? What would our country look like after such a deluge?

[monkeyboy]

So if the Mexican Government would act in the best interests of it's citizens, they'd ask the US to take over?

[Carlos]

The keyword here is THINK...if they only knew about the reality of "Life in America" that percentage would drop significantly.

[Randy L. AZ Resident]

Of course they would love to come here. We spent the last 200+ years actually BUILDING A COUNTRY. Who wouldn't want a ready made country with all kinds of free things.

Of course, these people who would come illegally have no morals about taking those things meant for citizens and legal residents. 12 - 20 million are here now and feel they are entitled to be here just because they haven't got caught. That's a criminal mentality if I've ever seen one.

No, instead of taking a stand, maybe even dying, for their freedoms and rights, they cave in to free money from cartels and become corrupt and subservient. They allow dictators to rule over them and direct their lives, while the dictators live in luxuery. Those that sneak out are the worse, they're scared and ran. Too weak to fight back, easier to run to America.

Mexico has had, almost, as much time since declaring independence as the United States. Other countries have had the same time or longer. They all chose a different path towards their future than we did and, now, they are paying for their lack of foresight. America has been a shining example of success and a beacon for over two centuries, yet, others are quick with envy and jealousy and blame us for their ills. None of them felt the desire, pride or necessity to plan and build a country as we did.

Of course they want to come here, it's the best place in the world to live.

[John]

In Mexico it is a felony to be in the country illegally and to aid (food, housing) anyone illegally in the country.
Mexico deports more illegal aliens each year than the US does.