Gallup research estimate: 42 million Latin Americans ‘want to come to the U.S.’

“What if there were 42 million at the border?” asked Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO of the Gallup poll, in a new op-ed based on some substantial research.

“Here’s a good question about caravans: How many more are coming?” Mr. Clifton asked. “Gallup asked the whole population of Latin America. There are 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Roughly 450 million adults live in the region. Gallup asked them, ’Would you like to move to another country permanently if you could?’ A whopping 27 percent said ’yes.’ So this means roughly 120 million would like to migrate somewhere.”

The numbers are part of Gallup’s very large “potential migration index” project which interviewed half a million people in 152 countries.

“The next question Gallup asked was, ’Where would you like to move?’ Of those who want to leave their Latin American country permanently, 35 percent said they want to go to the United States. The Gallup analytics estimate is that 42 million want to come to the U.S.” Mr. Clifton continued.

“Forty-two million seekers of citizenship or asylum are watching to determine exactly when and how is the best time to make the move,” he said. “This suggests that open borders could potentially attract 42 million Latin Americans. A full 5 million who are planning to move in the next 12 months say they are moving to the U.S.”

The research has already caught President Trump’s eye, who tweeted that 42 million migrants “would be a disaster for the United States” and called for a border wall.

“Most U.S. citizens like me just want to know the plan,” Mr. Clifton said. “What is the 10-year plan? How many, exactly whom and what skills will they bring? What do we want? Answer these questions, and the current discussion can be resolved. Keep in mind that it’s not only 330 million Americans who are wondering — so are 42 million seekers from Latin America.”