Unit 4 Case Study: Mexico to USA Migration Flashcards
Location
Primarily involves the movement of Mexicans to the southern states of America which border Mexico
The border spans 4 US states and 6 Mexican states
In America it starts in california and ends in texas
Most mexicans move to california followed by texas
California currently has 11423000 immigrants
Texas has 7951000
Overview
One of the largest migration streams in the last 40 years
Mostly labour migration
Result of a large gap in unemployment: Emigration surged for periods of wage decline in Mexico, unemployment rates: Weak growth in labour demand cause high unemployment and underemployment, growth of labour force: Higher population growth in mexico compared to usa and better quality of life in the usa
30% of legal immigrants in the usa and half of all foreigners are from mexico
Mexico sends up to 500000 people to the us each year
Most are illegal
History
Ties go back to the 1800’s when south west usa was part of mexico
Limited movement across the border until the 20th century
Previous surges in 1920’s and 1950’s but no consistent mass migration until the late 20th century
In early 20th century the usa government allowed recruitment of mexican workers as guest workers
Young mexican men were allowed in between 1917 and 1921 and between 1942 and 1964
The programme
Both programmes began when there was a shortage of labour during wars
US farmers were strong supporters of the programmes since the supply of labour kept wages low and contributed to higher land prices
Trade unions and many religious groups were against the programmes
Holds down wages of US farm workers which was the main cause for ending the programme
After the programme
The end of the programme saw farm wages rise and increasing mechanisation of agriculture
Readjusting the labour market after dependence on mexican workers was hard
Loss of US jobs and wages was hard for mexican workers
Under the programmes, american farmers were required to pay for the transportation of mexican workers from the border
This was an incentive for mexicans to move
When the programme ended they returned to where unemployment was high in mexico
Maquiladoras
These were factories in mexico that imported components and used mexican labour to assemble them into goods for export to the usa
Location was in towns just over the border so they were as close to us markets as possible
As the number of factories grew, more mexicans migrated from other parts of the country to border towns
The establishment of these only solved the programme ending problems to some extent as many of the factory jobs went to women
Push factors
High crime rates in mexico especially in the capital. Homicide rates are around 10-14 per 100000 and drug crimes are a concern. Many move out of fear for their lives
Political and public violence
In 2000 unemployment rates were at 2.2 but in 2009 they rise by 34.43% leaving them at 5.37 2010
Lack of economic opportunity
Climates and natural hazards in mexico could force movement
Mexican citizenship and migration policies
Pull factors
6% of the population in mexico lacks access to improved drinking water
Infrastructure in underdeveloped
America has better living standards and services
US economic development
Migrant communities in Texas and California pull migration
Educational opporuntieis
Intertwined histories of mexico and the usa
USA volunteer immigration policy
US refugee policy
Social impacts on the USA
Assimilation of mexicans to american communities
Mexicans can’t speak fluent english creating tension
Leads to segregation, crime and violence
Immigrants may be increasing crime rates
Low income and poor education can lead to crime
Mexico is associated with drug trafficking
Introduction of mexico culture has improved cultural aspects
Mexican food is more popular
Improves cultural diversity
More common for spanish to be taught in american schools widening the skills of the younger population
Slightly eases social tensions
Social impacts on Mexico
Developing and increasingly dependent population as most left are elderly who can’t work
Lack of young fertile couples reduces birth rate
No workforce to pay taxes
Most migrants are males leaving a high number of females
unable to find partners, get married and have children
Santa lost 2/3 of inhabitants
Living in rural mexico is a struggle because they have to survive with little money
Farmland is overworked and farms are small
Economics impacts on the USA
Migrants often take low paying jobs but offer higher wages than in mexico
Americans didn’t want these jobs but as unemployment rises, they do start to want them
Can lead to increased social tension
Migrants work at low wages
Americans who need work are expected to work at low wages which increases poverty
Many companies are replacing american labour with cheap migrant labour increase unemployment rates
Economic impacts on Mexico
As people move out of mexico, pressure on land, services and jobs is relieved
Unemployment will fall
Problem arises when young and skilled workforce leaves causing a shortage of workers
Shortage of medically trained people
Population is dependent on food grown in mexico
Most migrants come from rural areas, leaving a shortage of farmers and the potential for food shortages
Economics impacts on both
Legal mexican migrants are working and paying taxes and often send money back to their families instead of spending it in america
Less being spent on products that are taxed
Money being sent back to mexico is helping the economy greatly
Legal and illegal immigrants send $6 billion a year back to mexico
