Majority of Mexicans think life would be better in the U.S., survey finds
MexicoReporter | Sep 23, 2009 | Comments 1
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 for the Los Angeles Times.
Photo: Mexico City’s central plaza, or Zocalo. Credit: Deborah Bonello / For The Times
Filed Under: Felipe Calderon • crime • drugs • editorial • government • immigration • mexico • military • politics • united states • violence
Mexican’s are angry?? Really… I have a question for Mexico, how many people does MEXICO allow to enter their borders with proper documentation? Tell me Mexico, what are you sanctions against those who TRESPASS against your sovereignty?? The Mexican Government does NOT put up with ILLEGALS in the Country.
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Would Mexicans be similarly upset if it were Americans being mistreated by the Mexican Government? It is even dangerous for people who have immigrated to Mexico within their Immigration LAWS when they buy Real Estate, their is not protection under the Law that would keep them from losing that property if the Mexican Government decided to seize it! That is against U.S. Laws!
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For years and years we have welcomed Mexicans to come back and forth to the U.S. and Mexico, but Your Government (Mexico’s Gov’t) officials have abused the kindness and hospitality of U.S. citizens by ENCOURAGING millions of Mexican’s to cross the BORDER, and that is wrong! Our economy can support Americans and it can support migrant workers, seasonal workers, those who go back home at the end of the season, BUT we cannot, and should NOT provide a living to between 15 and 25 million Mexicans!
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I am sorry that Mexico has a weak economy, and a lousy Government, but it is up to Mexicans to fix it. Nobody gave our economy, OR Gov’t to Americans, we built it!
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Stay in Mexico, and BUILD your own country! We can be neighbors and visit each other, but, we cannot be a burden to one another it doesn’t work that way!
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You DO NOT have a right to work in America just because you have walked across the border? It does not work that way in Mexico, so why would you expect that it should be that way here?
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It is called Hypocrisy for you to think that YOU are providing us an essential labor force is just NOT true in the numbers of people who have come here, the way that it worked in the 1970′s is how it needs to work again, our relationship was much more respectful of the BORDER than today.
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You are up in arms, demonstrating, like an aggrieved party in a lawsuit waving the Mexican Flag, calling us Racists?? That does nothing but cause the American People to stand firm in their position.
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We just want you to understand that this is OUR Country, and we do not want millions of people here illegally, what if 20,000,000 Americans moved into Mexico without permission??
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I can’t believe this has gotten to this point, illegals don’t HAVE the right to be here in the U.S., and that is the way MEXICO views it’s borders!
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I Love the Mexican people, and I have great respect for the culture, and we ask that you respect us the same way, and to please use the front door if you want to enter, thank you.