Global Migration: Mexico

Question 1

Three indicators that show Mexico is an economically developing country (EDC)

Answer 1

• Mexico HDI is the same as a global average 0.7. Global average is most likely to be an EDC. Below the US.
• Mexico’s services 62% is close to the global average of services at 64%
• Mexico’s GDP per capita at approx $19000 is nearby the global average at $15000

Question 2

Mexico has a net emigration loss. What does that mean?

Answer 2

More people leaving the country then arriving the country.

Question 3

What are the intervening obstacles which Mexican migrants face in their journeys through Mexico and across the border?

Answer 3

1) Deserts: Chihuahuan Desert and Sonoran Desert
2) River Crossings: Conchos and River Grande
3) Coyotes: guides to show to get through the border
4) The 2000 mile long Mexico/US border

Question 4

Key events in the history of Migration in Mexico

Answer 4

1) Bracero Program 1942
2) Operation Wetback 1954
3) Immigration & Nationality Act 1965
4) Maquilas Mid 1960s
5) Immigration Reform & Control Act 1986
6) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 1994
7) Net emigration loss
8) Guatemala step migration

Question 5

What is the Bracero Program in 1942?

Answer 5

Provide temporary workers when the others were at war. Agriculture work in the US. Wives and families NOT allowed. 10% each family wage held back until they returned.

4.5 million men to Mexico.

Question 6

What is the Operation Wetback 1954?

Answer 6

Wetback is an insult. Treated poorly. Detention and deportation to anyone who looked Mexican. Wetback means illegal migrants who swam the Rio Grande River. Including legal residents. Ended in 1964. Other people in the US want them to come.

Question 7

What was the Immigration & Nationality Act in 1965?

Answer 7

Strict quota on the Mexicans for a 1 year. Lead to a 2 year waiting list for a US visa. Instead they went illegally.

Question 8

What are Maquilas in Mid 1960s?

Answer 8

Bracero Program ENDED.
Rising unemployment in the Mexican. Border towns. Mexican govt launched Maquilas program. Promising FREE trade to TNCs in the border towns . Meant US factories from US could use cheap labour. Mexicans migrates to border.

Question 9

What was the Immigration Reform & Control Act 1986?

Answer 9

2 million unauthorised Mexicans in return for tougher border enforcement and penalties for American employers.
Many Mexican immigrants began to settle permanently, bringing their families to live in the US.

Question 10

What is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994?

Answer 10

More economic integration between Mexico, USA and Canada.
Free trading but not the free movement of people.
Make Mexico rich and crest employment.

Question 11

What is the net emigration loss?

Answer 11

Improve economic opportunities in Mexico, along with recession in US and even thougher border controls.
In 2012, more Mexicans left than entered for the first time in 60 years.

Question 12

What is the Guatemala’s step migration?

Answer 12

Migrants which they originated from Guatemala (Mexico’s neighbour on its southern Border).
Guatemalans are therefore examples of trans-migrants.
Push factors: political instability and poverty.

Question 13

Why do Mexicans migrate to the USA?

Answer 13

The main economic problem is the poor stability of Mexican peso exchange rate compared to the US dollar.
Look for better salaries in the US.
As the US economy developed work became available in the manufacturing and constrictive industry.
Excellent medical facilities 400 per doctor.
Well paid jobs

Question 14

Why do Mexicans migrate to Canada?

Answer 14

Hires Mexican agriculture workers on a temporary basis.
Canadian farmers have been meeting some of their seasonal labour needs by hiring temporary workers through the Canadian Seasonal Agriculture Workers Program.
Allows entry for low- middle level skilled farm workers for up to eight months a year to fill lahor shortages.

Question 15

Why do Mexiancs migrate to Spain?

Answer 15

Refers to the Mexican population in Spain and their Spanish born descendants.
Recruited from Mexico to operate in any Mexican or Spanish company.
Majority of Mexican emigrants to Europe go did go similarities in language and culture.

Question 16

Why is migration occurring from USA to Mexico?

Answer 16

Majority of migrants from the USA to Mexico are actually Mexican born migrants and thief American born children who are returning to Mexico voluntarily or because they have been deported.
Between 2009 and 2014 slightly more Han 1 million Mexicans left the US for Mexico. Top reasons: family reasons 37%, nostalgia for their country of origin 29% and difficultly in finding a job 11%.

Question 17

Why is migration occurring from Guatemalan to Mexico?

Answer 17

Mexican state of Chaiapas touches Guatemala, undocumented immigrants and smugglers don’t have to worry about a border control.
They have a Balsero (a rafter) to ferry them across the Suchiate River or just walk across in times or droughts.
They do it in plain view of international authorities mainly both sites of an official border crossing at Ciudad Hidalgo, a gritty little border town that sits across the river.
6000 Guatemalans are deported each year

Question 18

Why is migration occupant between Spain to Mexico?

Answer 18

Someone said I moved to Mexico in 2011 because college graduates in France were struggling to find work.
Affordable quality of life beats living in Europe.
Mexico offers more opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Unemployment rate reaches 25% for young professionals.

Question 19

Interdependence with countries connected to Mexico by migrant flows

Answer 19

North American Free Trade Agreement
Maquilas
Hispanic influences
Growth and development
US Mexico Binational Group on bridges and border crossing
The international boundary and water commission.

Question 20

North American Free Trade?

Answer 20

Allows free trade of goods through Mexico, USA & Canada

Question 21

Maquilas

Answer 21

About 13000 US owned factories are located in Mexico border states, providing employment for approx one million Mexican workers.

Question 22

Hispanic influences

Answer 22

Each of the two counties has its largest diaspora living in the other so there are strong connections. Currently about 20% of Mexicans have family living in the US

Question 23

Growth and development

Answer 23

Mexicans vital to US economy contributing to about 4% to the GDP of the USA. In return remittances of $22 billion are sent back to Mexico which are also vital to its economy.

Question 24

US Mexico Binational Group in Bridges and border crossing

Answer 24

Border officials from both countries work together to maintain border infrastructure and investigate to treatment of illegal migrants at the border.

Question 25

The international boundary and water commission

Answer 25

Both countries collaborate on issues involving the Rio Grande, such as the maintenance of dams and reservoirs.

Question 26

What has been the impact of Mexican emigration on economic development in the state of Puebla?

Answer 26

The mayor claims that “maybe three out of four of my four of my constituents live in New York”. The hundreds of millions of dollars send back each year are having a dramatic effect on ritual communities in Puebla.
Towns have new restaurants, taxis, video arcades, cyber cafes and heavily paved streets.
Were made from Palm thatch Adobe

Question 27

What have been the opportunity and challenges arising from migration for Mexico as a whole, as well as on the central Mexican state of Hidalgo

Answer 27

However in small towns like Chilalautla returning migrants add pressure to the local administrative budgets.
More money is needed for health care for the increased population, more places in public schools, more programmes to assist returning families.
For decades Hidalgo has been one of the main deporting points for migrants.
State authorities say that in 2011 20,000 people left Hidalgo to find a new life in the US.
80% of the families are living in the US from Hidalgo.