decision to migrate

Objetive: to identify the processes which lead to the decision of migrating abroad, principally, how Mexicans do it and the restrictions they face. Methodology: interviews were performed to the international migrants from the State of Mexico between December 2012 and February 2013.The analysis was conducted in two stages during the migratory process to the same people: when leaving abroad and returning to their localities. Results: the results showed that both moments of migration have particular forms: people are firmly pressured due to their economic, emotional and family situations; they have the intention to improve and support their homes; and additional actors and unexpected events interfere as well. When returning, they bring lessons and experiences from abroad: family homesickness, lack of employment. Conclusions: the migration decisions are made within social and family environments and have particularities that the theoretical coverage misses; therefore, it was necessary to go directly to the voice of the migrants in order to understand such reflection processes and the influences they receive from the environment.