3a. Issues with unequal flows of global migration - AC Case Study

Question 1

Case study of an AC to show how it influences and drives change in the global mitigation system

Answer 1

USA

Question 2

Total number of immigrants living in the USA?

Answer 2

44.7 million

Question 3

Main contributors to the US migrant population? Why?

Answer 3

• Mexico = 12.5 million (neighbouring country, family reunification, integrated diaspora)
• China = 2.4 million
• Vietnam = 1.4 million (Vietnam war - USA took in Vietnam refugees)

Question 4

USA migration policies (greencard)

Answer 4

Greencard system:
- 500,000 visas available of lottery green card system
Certain numbers available for:
- visas for family reunification /year
- visas for skilled workers with sponsor of an employer

Question 5

Government policies that influence migration patterns of USA

Answer 5

• Mexico border: Trump promised a 2000 mile long border (only built 650 miles, couldn’t get Mexico to pay)
• DACA: Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (protects people illegally bought to US as child from deportation - Obama policy
• Travel ban: Trump banned travel from 7 majority Muslim countries

Question 6

How migration has created opportunities for the US?

Answer 6

• immigrants take low paid jobs that natives find unattractive
• US immigration policy to attract high skilled professionals
• immigrants are consumers, helps job creation and business start ups

Question 7

How migration has created challenges for the USA?

Answer 7

• had to deal with 10.9 million unauthorised immigrants
• social cohesion problems created with the progress of the integration of immigrant groups into society
• inequalities between migrant diasporas and American communities

Question 8

Economic interdependence between USA and Mexico?

Answer 8

• low skilled migrants work in US where wages are higher ($25.2 billion in remittances sent home)

Question 9

Political interdependence between USA and Mexico?

Answer 9

Political power remains unbalanced in Mexico, they have cooperated on issues such as border control

Question 10

Social interdependence between USA and Mexico?

Answer 10

Social and cultural compatibility
- 12 million Mexican migrants live in US
- 1 million Americans in Mexicans

Question 11

Environmental interdependence between USA and Mexico?

Answer 11

Both countries jointly manage the Colorado river basin