Mexico to USA international Migration
Background Impact on Mexico
Between Mexico and the USA there is a 2000km As many young men are emigrating from Mexico to more developed
border. However, illegal immigration is a massive in search of a higher quality of life. This often leaves less economical
problem and therefore the USA spends millions on people with higher proportions of the old and young. It is estimated t
border patrol. It is estimated that there are over 10 remittances back to the Mexico are worth about $6 billion. The USA s
million illegal immigrants living in the USA. considerably higher wages than Mexico which is a major pull factor. L
Americans have a mixed opinion on Mexican rural Mexico is also difficult as the farms are often very small, and far
immigration with some saying that it is a drain on often overworked. It is thought that about 1,500 people attempt to sm
the economy by keeping labor wages low whereas, themselves over the US-Mexico border each day, with about 500 gett
others believe that immigrants working at lower caught. Migrants returning to Mexico often also often have changed v
wages benefits the economy. and values. Impacts on USA
History
There has always been some migration from Mexico to the USA Each year the illega
especially during the 19 and 20 century when there were no
th th the USA millions of
restrictions, there was a significant increase in the middle of the border control and
20 century. This was due to Mexicans seeking employment while
th with immigrants. Im
the USA was in need of workers. Many Mexico's leave in search of create social proble
better economic opportunities and then send money home to racial tension. Mex
their families. Some people migrate for a few years while others the USA by doing jo
Increase in illegal migration don’t want to do.
do so permanently. When the US farms face shortages on labour • High population growth and economic crisis in the
the US government set up guest worker programmes to allow
1980s resulted in a considerable increase in illega
young Mexican men to work in the US legally between 1917 and
migration
1921 as well as between 1942 and 1964. US farmers favored the • As attitudes in 1986 hardened against illegal work
scheme however trade unions were strongly against it.
penalties were imposed on American employers w
Push Factors (Mexico)
knowingly hired illegal workers
• In Mexico there are very high crime rates. Homicide • At the same point however, 2.7 million unauthoris
rates are at 15 per 100,000 compared to the world
foreigners were legalised, with about 85% of them
average of 10, there is also lots of drug crime. Many
Mexicans. This therefore expanded network links b
move as they fear for their lives with the hope that
Mexican workers and US employers.
America will be a safer place.
• Pull Factors (USA)
There is also a major issue of poverty in Mexico which
Excellent medical facilities with 400 people for
is also linked to unemployment, which is at about 5%.
every doctor.
About 44% of the Mexican population lives under the
Good education prospects with adult literacy rates
poverty line compared to 11% in the USA.
• at 99%.
There are poor medical facilities with about 1,800
The average life expectancy is also higher at 76
people for every doctor.
• years old.
There are poor education prospects with adult literacy
There are also many job opportunities compared
rates at 55%.
• to Mexico which has a much higher
The average life expectancy is also only 72 years old.
unemployment rate.
Background Impact on Mexico
Between Mexico and the USA there is a 2000km As many young men are emigrating from Mexico to more developed
border. However, illegal immigration is a massive in search of a higher quality of life. This often leaves less economical
problem and therefore the USA spends millions on people with higher proportions of the old and young. It is estimated t
border patrol. It is estimated that there are over 10 remittances back to the Mexico are worth about $6 billion. The USA s
million illegal immigrants living in the USA. considerably higher wages than Mexico which is a major pull factor. L
Americans have a mixed opinion on Mexican rural Mexico is also difficult as the farms are often very small, and far
immigration with some saying that it is a drain on often overworked. It is thought that about 1,500 people attempt to sm
the economy by keeping labor wages low whereas, themselves over the US-Mexico border each day, with about 500 gett
others believe that immigrants working at lower caught. Migrants returning to Mexico often also often have changed v
wages benefits the economy. and values. Impacts on USA
History
There has always been some migration from Mexico to the USA Each year the illega
especially during the 19 and 20 century when there were no
th th the USA millions of
restrictions, there was a significant increase in the middle of the border control and
20 century. This was due to Mexicans seeking employment while
th with immigrants. Im
the USA was in need of workers. Many Mexico's leave in search of create social proble
better economic opportunities and then send money home to racial tension. Mex
their families. Some people migrate for a few years while others the USA by doing jo
Increase in illegal migration don’t want to do.
do so permanently. When the US farms face shortages on labour • High population growth and economic crisis in the
the US government set up guest worker programmes to allow
1980s resulted in a considerable increase in illega
young Mexican men to work in the US legally between 1917 and
migration
1921 as well as between 1942 and 1964. US farmers favored the • As attitudes in 1986 hardened against illegal work
scheme however trade unions were strongly against it.
penalties were imposed on American employers w
Push Factors (Mexico)
knowingly hired illegal workers
• In Mexico there are very high crime rates. Homicide • At the same point however, 2.7 million unauthoris
rates are at 15 per 100,000 compared to the world
foreigners were legalised, with about 85% of them
average of 10, there is also lots of drug crime. Many
Mexicans. This therefore expanded network links b
move as they fear for their lives with the hope that
Mexican workers and US employers.
America will be a safer place.
• Pull Factors (USA)
There is also a major issue of poverty in Mexico which
Excellent medical facilities with 400 people for
is also linked to unemployment, which is at about 5%.
every doctor.
About 44% of the Mexican population lives under the
Good education prospects with adult literacy rates
poverty line compared to 11% in the USA.
• at 99%.
There are poor medical facilities with about 1,800
The average life expectancy is also higher at 76
people for every doctor.
• years old.
There are poor education prospects with adult literacy
There are also many job opportunities compared
rates at 55%.
• to Mexico which has a much higher
The average life expectancy is also only 72 years old.
unemployment rate.
