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"A recent poll taken in Mexico indicated a clear majority of Mexicans (a fiercly nationalistic lot themselves) consider the SW United States rightfully belongs to Mexico."

I hadn't heard that. Can you get me a link?

Of course, the SW USA was Mexico for at least 150 years (depending upon what year you consider that the Spanish claim was made reality, not just as a label on a map but as a fait accompli.) Throughout the 18th century, Catholic missionaries established missions in Texas, New Mexico, California, etc. and the Spanish and later Mexican authorities established towns and cities.

In the early 19th century, the English-speaking Americans established their claims e.g. in Texas precisely through immigration--- at first legal, and then illegal. And the Mexican-American War wrapped up the deal: the illegal immigrants (Anglos) stole the place fair and square.

Now before you flame me up one side and down the other, I'm just citing this as history, not policy. I am not at all an Aztlanista.

From the report:

American Views of Mexico and Mexican Views of the U.S.

Submitted to: John D. Vinson Americans For Immigration Control, Inc. Submitted by:
Zogby International
John Zogby, President and CEO
Maria Bettua, Director Of International Department
John Bruce, Vice President and Systems Administrator
Rebecca Wittman, Vice President and Managing Editor

Joseph Zogby, Writer

snip

II. Narrative Analysis

7. Do you agree or disagree that the territory of the United States’ Southwest rightfully belongs to Mexico?

Agree 58%
Disagree 28
Not sure/Don’t know 14

By two to one, more Mexican respondents agree (58%) than disagree (28%) that the territory of the United States’ Southwest rightfully belongs to Mexico. One in seven (14%) is not sure.

A majority within almost every sub-group agrees that territory of the Southwest U.S. belongs to Mexico. Among the most likely to agree are more than three in five 18-29 year-olds (61%), those with a secondary education (64%) or who have some university education (66%), and people whose political party is mostly Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) (70%), and mostly or somewhat Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) (62% average).

More than one-third of university graduates (39%), and the adults whose political affiliation is mostly National Action Party (PAN) (35%) or who belong to no party (35%) disagree that the territory of the Southwest U.S. belongs to Mexico. Men (31%) are slightly more likely than women (26%) to disagree.

More than one in five adults 50 and older (22%) are not sure.

Of course, the SW USA was Mexico for at least 150 years (depending upon what year you consider that the Spanish claim was made reality, not just as a label on a map but as a fait accompli.) Throughout the 18th century, Catholic missionaries established missions in Texas, New Mexico, California, etc. and the Spanish and later Mexican authorities established towns and cities.

The SW USA was "Mexican" in a legal sense for about 27 years.

In the early 19th century, the English-speaking Americans established their claims e.g. in Texas precisely through immigration--- at first legal, and then illegal. And the Mexican-American War wrapped up the deal: the illegal immigrants (Anglos) stole the place fair and square.

"Anglo" (meaning American) immigration was not only accepted but encouraged because of mexican inability to govern the land, at least in Texas. Texas sought independence - whites and many hispanics alike - only after the constitution of 1821 was overthrown.

As far as the the rest of the SW being 'stolen' buy the US in 1848, I guess that term can be used to describe just about every geopolitical border of any consequence on earth. In this case I say thank God, as did most of the local inhabitants of those lands at the time of their annexation.