Desire to Move Permanently to U.S. at New Low

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

A new Gallup poll showing a sharp drop in the share of would‑be migrants who name the United States as their preferred destination is prompting debate over what has changed: the U.S. itself, alternatives elsewhere, or global attitudes toward migration. Commenters point out that the U.S. remains the top choice in absolute terms, but note that harsher immigration policies, political instability, and high costs of living are pushing some skilled workers toward Europe, Canada, or staying home as their own regions develop. Others highlight a growing desire among younger Americans—especially women—to emigrate, and argue that restrictive U.S. policies may deter high‑skill migrants while doing little to stop desperate ones.

Overall reaction to Gallup results

  • Many note that the US is still the top destination by a wide margin, but its share of would‑be migrants dropped sharply (e.g., from ~24% to ~15% of global preference).
  • Several argue the headline “desire to migrate falls worldwide” is somewhat misleading because most of the global decline is driven by reduced interest in the US; other countries are flat or up.
  • Others stress that, despite the decline, no single country has overtaken the US in absolute attractiveness.

Motivations and tradeoffs for moving to the US

  • Strong view: people choose the US primarily for higher earnings, not because it’s intrinsically “great.”
  • Counterview: the ability to earn much more is itself proof the US is “a great country.”
  • Multiple comparisons with Europe: higher US salaries vs. worse healthcare, social safety net, and daily stress; some would accept less pay in Europe for better quality of life.
  • Some posters say they would never move to or even visit the US under the current administration; others report positive experiences, especially in New York City.

Immigration policy, H‑1B, and labor markets

  • One camp wants to massively expand H‑1B and speed green cards; critics call this out of touch and harmful to US workers.
  • Several describe US legal immigration as extremely hard, slow, and biased toward highly skilled professionals.
  • Some argue restrictive policies mostly deter skilled migrants with options, while the desperate will still try.
  • Others want tighter links between corporate layoffs and limits on hiring nonresidents, citing a weaker tech job market and perceived wage suppression.

Politics, enforcement, and rights

  • Strong discussion of ICE, mass deportations, and harsh border practices:
    • One side emphasizes these policies are broadly popular in polls and “enforcing the law” isn’t immoral.
    • The other side calls current enforcement deliberately cruel, notes due‑process abuses, and sees deporting long‑settled people with families as a moral atrocity.
  • Examples cited of tourists and citizens facing harsh treatment at the border; some advise foreigners to avoid visiting the US.
  • Debate over whether anti‑immigration attitudes are driven by country‑of‑origin “state of development” versus racialized views and “model minority” narratives.

Regional patterns and alternative destinations

  • Shared regional figures from the article: big US‑preference drops in Southeast Asia and Latin America; little or no change in South Asia and MENA; slight increase in East Asia.
  • Some suggest rising prosperity in parts of Asia reduces the need to leave; others mention China, Europe, Canada, and Gulf states as alternatives for talent and money.
  • EU respondents appear relatively disinterested in migration overall; intra‑EU mobility and EU passports are framed as key draws.

Emigration from the US and Canada

  • Desire to leave the US is discussed; one cited stat is that interest is particularly high among US women under 45.
  • Multiple anecdotes of Canadians who moved to the US for decades now returning home, “getting off the crazy train.”
  • Posters looking to leave the US report that many other countries are also tightening immigration, making exit harder.

Cultural and quality‑of‑life themes

  • Some characterize the US as becoming a “shithole” or heading that way; others defend it as uniquely dynamic and culturally central.
  • Concerns raised about authoritarian drift, “project” agendas, and whether the people remain sovereign.
  • Several emphasize that fantasies about the US need to fade: immigration can be brain‑drain for origin countries and a crutch for a US that underinvests in its own population.