A Gallup study of U.S. Hispanics revealed that more than one in seven -- or an estimated 4 million adults -- would leave the U.S. permanently if they had the opportunity. A slim majority (52 percent) say they would like to move to a Latin American country, including nearly a third (32 percent) who would like to relocate to Mexico. A sizable minority -- or nearly 2 million adults -- would like to move to places such as Canada (8 percent), Spain (8 percent), the United Kingdom (5 percent), and other non-Latin American countries.
The 15 percent of U.S. Hispanics who say they would like to move to another country permanently if they could is higher than the 10 percent of Americans nationwide who say the same and lower than the 22 percent of would-be migrants in Latin America. The desire to migrate is slightly more pronounced among U.S. Hispanics born outside the U.S. (18 percent) and more in line with the level of desire measured in Latin America.
Potential Migrants Less Integrated; Worse Off Economically
U.S. Hispanics who would like to migrate are caught between two worlds. Gallup's data showed they are less integrated than those who don't want to migrate -- they're more likely to feel good only among other Hispanics, feel more discriminated against, and are less likely to speak English well. They not only experience more cultural tension, but also seem to be doing worse off economically, particularly with regard to their ability to afford healthcare for themselves and their families. U.S. Hispanics who would like to migrate are more likely to say they have sent remittances back home in the past 12 months and are less optimistic about the future possibility of increasing or maintaining the amount of these remittances.
Gallup's survey suggests that U.S. Hispanics who would like to migrate are more likely to be struggling, foreign-born residents who are ready to give up the American dream and move home or try again somewhere else.
These results are based on interviews conducted in 2009 with adults of Hispanic origin or descent who reside permanently in the continental United States.
Source: Gallup.com, “Four Million U.S. Hispanics Would Migrate Permanently,” November 9, 2010.