Mexican immigration: causes, effects, and policy implications

Mexican immigration is one of the hottest social topics of the modern day. Everyone seems to have an opinion that details the rights and wrongs of immigration from Mexico. The historical view of Mexican immigrants as poor migrant workers who come to the U.S. To fill mainly temporary agricultural jobs to earn a living that is often sent back to Mexico to support family that remains is relatively commonplace, regardless of the real diversity that exists in Mexican immigration today, or even existed in the past.

Canales 741) the history of Mexican immigration is not only diverse it was also welcomed in many periods of U.S. development

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Mexican immigration in all its forms is a point of discussion at least once a week on national and local new programs and statistics of the potential growth of the Mexican population in the U.S. are frequently sighted.

According to a study conducted by Mexico's National Population Council (CONAPO) in 2001, an estimated 3.5 to 5 million Mexican immigrants enter the United States each decade. Approximately 400,000 Mexicans cross the border annually, of which 175,000 are legal. The remaining 200,000 to 300,000 enter the United States illegally, primarily seeking employment and higher wage rates.

Burnor 8)

To many people the concept of such a massive illegal movement is troubling, to the Mexican government it is also troubling, and for the most part because the movement is a symptom of continued economic and social instability in Mexico, a historical concern.

Burnor 8) the logical concern, prior to September 11th 2001, was to create a system of amnesty for immigrants, to reduce expenditures by both nations in enforcing laws that seem to transcend borders and economic and social circumstances.

Burnor 8)

The U.S. In general responds to Mexican immigration with mixed feelings, knowing that a continued partnership with Mexico for the provision of legal migrant labor, and trade improvement is essential but also knowing that illegal immigration is dangerous and costly to both the immigrants and the nations involved. "Mexico is...cognizant and regretful of the fact that its northern neighbor is the hope of millions of Mexicans in times of depression in their homeland."

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The reality of the situation is that the more restrictive both nations are with immigration, the more illicit and potentially dangerous the situation will become.

The changing profile of the migrants, and the new elements and trends of migration and employment, are directly related to the current social, economic and political context, especially with regard to the restrictive migration policies applied since the early 1990s -- at the same time, as it happens, as there is an economic and commercial integration between the countries.

Canales 741)

According to Canales the policies implemented in the last decade result in greater concerns and problems rather than in a real reduction of immigration.

The restrictive policies referred to are those which have been applied by the government of the United States since then. The most evident are those which are directed towards a more extensive and stricter control of the flow of undocumented migrants through the towns on the border (amongst other things, the construction of fences and ditches, the supply of sophisticated equipment for the use of the border patrols, which has allowed a large amount of the military gear used in the Gulf War to be recycled, along with an increase in their budget and in the number of people hired by the Immigration Service to control the border),

Canales 741)

Canales also points out that even state governments have gotten into the game of attempting to control and restrict immigration, to a point that endangers all.

A and those policies that are designed to create a social and political situation that is hostile to immigration (California's clause 187, and other means of reducing benefits and access to social security, education, family reunification, and such like). The overall effect of these policies has been to create a situation of greater social and political vulnerability for migrants, both in the course of their crossing the border and in terms of settling in the communities of their destination. (14)

Canales 741)

Conclusion

If Mexican immigrants are given greater opportunity to immigrate, both temporarily and permanently immigration will more likely become an asset rather than a liability to both nations. Mexican immigration in its present form is an issue that will likely stay in the headlines but a greater understanding of its diverse and logical history could help those in opposition to it to better understand the nature of its positive impacts upon the U.S. Mexican immigration is an inevitable part of the social, economic and political situation of both nations. The need is not to further restrict it but to create a system that allows it through legal means as a way to further improve the economies of both nations through the professions of desired economic goals, such as those outlined by the North American Free Trade Agreement alluded to by Canales. We as a nation can not expect to offer guises at free trade without doing it in a socially responsible manner.

Introduction

Hypothesis: Mexican immigration is an inevitable event given the social and economic climate in both nations, and the flux of immigration through history will likely continue indefinitely. The more restrictive both nations are with immigration, the greater the amount of illicit and illegal activity that will take place

Mexican Immigration History is diverse, with individuals seeking all types of employment, depending on the needs of both the immigrants and the U.S. labor market.

The majority of Mexican immigrants do not seek to stay in the U.S. But wish to return to their origin region in Mexico when earnings have been met and the region they come from is more capable of supporting them and their families.