3.A - USA migration case study of an AC Flashcards
1
Q
USA migration facts
A
- 13% of population are migrants (41 mill)
- strong influence on global migration = honey pot destination
- increase in number of immigrants through rate of growth may be slowing
- more than 50% of the USA’s most valuable technology companies were founded by immigrants, as were 40% of its 500 largest TNCs.
2
Q
what does this case study look at? (USA)
A
- this case study looks at the USA and focuses on the USA-Mexico migration corridor (classic South-North intra regional migrant flow).
- it should be clearly noted thar in migration flows, the richer country will ALWAYS control the flow (through immigration policies and border controls), and the AC will always benefit more from the flows compared to the source country.
- this exacerbates inequalities between the countries, acting as a positive feedback loop to increase the gulf in development between the 2 countries.
- whilst there are opportunities and challenges for the USAs migration policy, the opportunities will outweigh the challenges (if they did not, the USA would change their policy)
3
Q
which source countries are the main contributors to migrant populations in the US? (2013)
A
- Mexico (28% of all foreign born US residents)
- India (5%)
- China (5%)
- the Phillipines (4%)
- Puerto Rico (3.5%)
- Vietnam, El Salavdor, Cuba and South Korea (3%)
4
Q
for what political reasons is the USA popular?
A
- the positive immigration policy and possibility of obtaining a Green Card (permanent residence)
- the policy on refugee admission
5
Q
for what economic reasons is the USA popular?
A
- employment opportunites for both low and high skilled workers
- wage differential and the opportunity to send remittances
5
Q
for what social reasons is the USA popular?
A
- educational opportunities and access to other services such as healthcare
- the importance of family reunification w/in the migration policy
6
Q
what 5 types of visa does the USA issue?
A
- reunification of families (480,00 p/yr available for family members to join legal residents)
- admission of migrants w/ skills valuable to the US economy (140,000 visas available for highly skilled workers)
- protecting refugees (no of admissions decided each year - 70,000 visas in 2013)
- promoting diversity (the diversity Immigrant visa program = 50,000 immigrant visas annually. 2014 mostly went to African countries)
- humanitarian relief (temporary visas available for relief from natural disasters/ongoing armed conflict)
7
Q
DIFFERING OPINIONS - economic impacts of migration flows
A
- one view is that migrants are a vital part of the US economy’s growth engine.
- from New York restaurant kitchens to California’s vineyards, legal and illegal migrants work long hours for low pay.
- Citigroup Research suggests that 2/3 of US growth since 2011 is directly attributable to migration.
- this is because migration self-selects entrepreneurial people who are more likely to start their own businesses wherever they live.
- despite this evidence, high unemployment in some deindustrialised places has led to calls for immigration to be curbed.
8
Q
DIFFERING OPINIONS - Impacts on international security
A
- the terrorist attacks on the USA in 2001 ushered in an era of heightened security concerns.
- support grew for the anti-immigration ‘Tea Party’ movement.
- in 2016, before he became US President, Donald Trump suggested that Muslims should be banned from entering the USA on the basis that global terror group ISIS pledges allegiance to Islam.
- Many people found this deeply offensive.
- Trump insisted he was simply thinking of ways to safeguard national security.
9
Q
DIFFERING OPINIONS - demographic impacts
A
- in the USA and other developed countries, youthful migration helps offset the costs of an ageing population.
- yet the higher birth rates of some immigrant communities is changing the ethnic population composition of the USA.
- in 1950, 3 million US citizens were Hispanic.
- Today, the figure has reached 60 million..
- this is more than 1/5 of the population
10
Q
DIFFERING OPINIONS - cultural change
A
- migrants change places when they influence food, music and language.
- Hispanic population growth is affecting the content of US media as programmers and advertisers seek out a larger share of the audience by offering Spanish-language soap operas on platforms like Netflix.
11
Q
how does migration develop POLITICAL interdependence between the USA and Mexico?
A
- since the formation of NAFTA, bilateral trade between USA and Mexico has increased significantly.
- political power relations remain imbalanced but increasingly there has been co-ordination and cooperation over issues in common:
> border security, drug trade, human trafficking and environmental issues such as water security
> joint management of Colorado River Basin
12
Q
how does migration develop SOCIAL interdependence between the USA and Mexico?
A
- (2013) 11.5 million Mexican lived in USA
- 1 million Americans in Mexico
- growing social and cultural connectivity
13
Q
how does migration develop ECONOMIC interdependence between the USA and Mexico?
A
- low skilled Mexicans (many illegal) contribute to the US economy by working in agriculture, construction and low paid services. Wages are much than higher in Mexico
- since the formation of NAFTA, bilateral trade between USA and Mexico has increased significantly.
- reciprocal merchandise trade alone = $1.4 billion per day
- Mexican industry has benefitted e.g. development of aerospace and IT sectors boosted mainly by FDI from USA
14
Q
SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES of USA-Mexico migration
A
- the introduction of Mexican cultural traditions to America, especially in states w/ large numbers of migrants, have helped to improve cultural aspects of those states
> Mexican themed food = v. popular w/ burrito and taco fast food shops. New food and music has helped to improve cultural diversity of America significantly. - with such a large number of Mexican migrants not speaking fluently = common for Spanish to be taught in schools, widening the skillset of the younger population and improving potential career opportunities for students. also slightly helps ease social tensions.
- LT. INCREASE OF TOURISTS
