USA migration case study

Question 1

What is the USA and how much influence does it have on the global migration system?

Answer 1

It is an AC in North America and has a very large influence, driving change in the global migration system

Question 2

How many immigrants were living in the USA in 2013? What percentage of the entire population is this?

Answer 2

41.3 million - 13% of the entire population

Question 3

How many nationalities in the USA have a population of over 1 million in the country? How many with over 50,000?

Answer 3

9 with >1,000,000 people

78 with >50,000 people

Question 4

Which countries are the main contributors to the migrant population?

Answer 4

Mexico (28% of foreign born residents)
China (5%)
India (5%)

Question 5

Why is immigration slowing and patterns of immigration changing in the USA?

Answer 5

Deceleration of Mexican influx, tightening of border control, increasing numbers of Mexican returnees. Mostly of Hispanic origin, although in recent years there has been increasing economic migration from Asian countries like India and China due to wage differentials and better quality of life

Question 6

Why is the USA attractive to immigrants?

Answer 6

USA has had a positive immigration policy - possibility of obtaining a green card (permanent residency)
Employment opportunities for both high and low-skilled workers
Wage differentials and opportunities to send remittances - 2x amount for an hour of agricultural work in USA than a day in Mexico
Education and healthcare opportunities (as well as other services)
Importance of family reunification
Policy of refugee admission

Question 7

Describe and explain patterns of emigration from the USA

Answer 7

Country of net migration gain, but in 2013 were 3 million US citizens living abroad and that number is growing
Main destinations are Mexico, Canada, UK, Germany, Puerto Rico
Explained to large extent by return to Mexican families and American-born children
Highly skilled workers in education, communication, IT have migrated to countries with political, economic or historical ties (e.g. Canada, UK, other EU countries)

Question 8

Describe migration policies in America

Answer 8

Immigration and Naturalisation act - the body of law which governs the current immigration policy
- 675,000 permanent visa given each year (limit)
- 480,000 for family reunification
- 140,000 for highly skilled workers (valuable to US economy) - normally sponsored by employers for a specific job offer
- 70,000 for protecting refugees (number decided each year, this value is for 2013)
- 50,000 for promoting diversity - drawn by random selection of individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the USA - mostly African countries
Temporary visas are also available for humanitarian relief after natural disasters or ongoing armed conflict

Question 9

What is the world’s largest bilateral corridor? Give statistics

Answer 9

That between Mexico and the USA - in 2013 were over 11.5 Mexicans living in the USA and 1 million Americans living in Mexico - each country has its largest diaspora living in the other - growing cultural and social connectivity

Question 10

Why are there so many Mexicans in the USA and what do they contribute?

Answer 10

They are bordering countries. Mexicans are attracted by much higher wages and need for low-paid low-skilled jobs - working in agriculture, construction. There are opportunities for remittances, which make up 2% of Mexico’s GDP

Question 11

How has NAFTA affected bilateral trade?

Answer 11

Bilateral trade has grown significantly since the formation of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) - Mexican industry has benefited (e.g. from the development of aerospace and IT sectors - boosted mainly by FDI from the USA

Question 12

Political power relations between Mexico and the USA remain imbalanced, but how is this being improved?

Answer 12

Through increasing cooperation and coordination over issues the two countries have in common, for example border security, drug trade, human trafficking, environmental issues such as water scarcity - there has been joint management of the Colorado river basin and ecology of the Sonoran desert.

Question 13

How does USA international migration create opportunities for low-skilled workers? How does this have a positive impact on the USA

Answer 13

Immigrant populations take many of the low-paid jobs which native-born Americans find unattractive - provide significant contribution to GDP and US economic growth and means the required services are carried out more effectively and efficiently

Question 14

How does the USA immigration policy attract highly skilled and well-qualified professionals ant contribute to its economy and society?

Answer 14

140,000 visas given out annually - include ‘persons of extraordinary ability’ in arts, science, IT, education, athletics, business, all of which contribute to a richer society and have a positive impact on the economy, making services more effective and efficient and developing technologies. Outstanding professors and researchers are being attracted as well to improve education which also contributes to society and the economy. Most immigrants from China and India are employed in business or science

Question 15

Why is the fact that most immigrants to the USA are in young working age groups of benefit to the country?

Answer 15

The USA has an ageing population, meaning that having more young capable workers from abroad is of economic and social benefit, e.g. as they contribute to the tax base and carry out work more effectively, filling in more required jobs and services

Question 16

Immigrants are consumers themselves, what does this mean for the USA’s economy?

Answer 16

Helps with job creation and business start-ups and generates income - more diverse goods, particularly foods from different cultures

Question 17

How many unauthorised migrants are estimated to be living in the USA?

Answer 17

11.5 million (6 million of these are Mexican)

Question 18

Describe illegal Mexican (and Latin American) immigration into the USA and the problems and challenges it presents, and how these have been managed

Answer 18

Often attempt to cross the Rio Grande river, which has given illegal Mexican immigrants the derogatory slur “wetbacks”. Migrants from other latin American countries attempt to cross via the land route. Migrant deaths at the US border have increased by 17% this year. The US Department of Homeland Security has tightened borders with more Border Patrol Agents (50% more in 2006) and other measures. 600 miles of the 2000 mile border is fenced. In 2015 congress passed new immigration bills strengthening legal mechanisms for refugee security screening and counter-terrorism. There have been conflicts between ethnic groups.

Question 19

What are some other challenges presented by migration in the USA?

Answer 19

Struggle to integrate immigrant groups into US society -conflict between ethnic groups and between US nationals and immigrants. Racism. Cultural and language barriers - lack of social cohesion and full economic or political integration.
Where immigrant populations are particularly concentrated and numerous, supply of resources and services have become an issue, e.g. adding demand for water supply in California, which used to be part of Mexico and has a very large Mexican population/diaspora.

Question 20

What proportion of worldwide migrants reside in the USA?

Answer 20

1/5