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MEXICAN MIGRATION TO THE USA A Focus on Missouri

This study explores the immigration policies and migration systems, focusing on the experience of Mexican migration to the USA with a particular focus on Missouri. It examines the policies in place, attitudes of the host country, economic effects, immigration control policies, and the level of deprivation in Mexico. The study also looks at the legal and unauthorized immigrant populations, as well as the occupational distribution and the impact of state legislation on immigrants. The research explores the different experiences and challenges faced by immigrants throughout the different stages of the immigration process, from leaving their home country to settling in the receiving country. The study also examines the changes in migration patterns, including circular migration and the movement to smaller towns.

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MEXICAN MIGRATION TO THE USA A Focus on Missouri

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  1. Immigrants, Policies and Migration Systems:An Ethnographic Comparative Approach(MIGSYS) MEXICAN MIGRATION TO THE USAA Focus on Missouri Uma A. Segal Journal of Immigrant & Refugee StudiesSchool of Social Work & Center for International StudiesUniversity of Missouri—St. Louis, U.S.A. October 2-3, 2008

  2. Policies • Immigration policies (admission) • Who we let in • Why we let them in • Who we keep out and how • Immigrant policies (integration) • Once they are in, how do we help them integrate? • What resources do we allow them to access? • Are there any stipulations to accessing resources?

  3. Continua of Interest:Host Country Attitudes Political & Cultural Considerations I II Economic Effects III IV

  4. Immigration Control Policies • External immigration control—prevention • Border enforcement (U.S. primary focus) • Visa/passport control • Internal immigration control—enforcement • Workplace enforcement • Apprehension & Deportation

  5. Level of Deprivation in Mexico

  6. Legal & Unauthorized Immigrants http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/interactives/wdc/usdiversity/index.html?SITE=MOSTP&SECTION=HOME http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/07/immigration_map/index_01.htm

  7. Total U.S. & documented Mexican Populations, 2007, in thousands

  8. Occupational Distribution of Natives and Mexican Immigrants (percent)

  9. In September 2007, the Missouri Legislature passed… • imposing penalties on employers of undocumented immigrants • restrictions on allowing the enrollment of undocumented immigrants in public higher education • ensuring that English is used in official deliberations • involving the Missouri Highway Patrol in enforcing immigration laws

  10. Education Employment Health Human Trafficking ID/Driver’s Licenses Law Enforcement Legal Services Miscellaneous Omnibus/Multi-Issue Measures Public benefits Voting Resolutions State Legislation MO high level activity group, passing 21+ laws (44 states together considered 1,100+ bills in the first quarter of 2008

  11. Data Collection • IRB review • Subjects • Immigration lawyer specializing in Mexican migration • Physician/Administrator Latino Health Center • Young professional documented male • Middle aged restaurant owner who adjusted undocumented status in the 1980s

  12. FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMMIGRANT/REFUGEE EXPERIENCEConditions in Home CountryStatus in Home CountryExperience in Home Country Reasons for Leaving Home CountryPushPullTransition to Country of ImmigrationEmigration ImmigrationResponse to the Immigration ProcessImmigrant’s resourcesReadiness of receiving countryfor migrationfor acceptance of immigrantAdjustment to the Receiving Country’s Lifestyle & CultureImplications for Business & Society

  13. Taking the decision to move Economic situation Assessing the benefits as outweighing costs In Mexico, family situation poor, but not dire Before Migrating: Nodal Point 1

  14. Making the move Opportunities available Legal entry Tourism Legitimate job opportunity Before Migrating: Nodal Point 2

  15. Arrival Housing & assistance Authorized entry Overstay Social network Job-related network Migrating: Nodal Point 3

  16. Adaptation Social integration Career progression Satisfactory employment, education, health care, housing access Difficult Difficult if unauthorized After Migrating: Nodal Point 4

  17. Settlement Integration Home purchase Experience of discrimination Migrating: Nodal Point 5

  18. Most undocumented migrants in St. Louis • are overstays • enter with family members although the main agent is the male • are young and most women are married • retain close ties with family in Mexico • come to improve economic opportunities • were working in Mexico • “plan” on returning to Mexico at some time

  19. Knowledge of Policies…most • are unaware of the range of control policies • know that there are channels to get papers that will allow them to work • have access to word-of-mouth information about employment opportunities • do not anticipate using welfare services • know they will pay taxes • know that their children will have access to education

  20. Arrival and settlement • Housing support through employer or through family networks • Housing and job opportunities readily available • Access to Social Security numbers relatively easy • Aware of resources available but prefer to stay within Spanish speaking community • Network of professional Mexicans not readily accessible…isolation • Plans are to earn enough to return to Mexico and live comfortably

  21. Changes in Migration Patterns • Circular migration replaced by permanency in migration • Equal gender migration and increases in child migration • Movement from border states to less populated states • Settlement in small towns rather than urban or rural areas • Border control may be working…September 2008 • http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/interactives/wdc/usdiversity/index.html?SITE=MOSTP&SECTION=HOME

  22. Additional Issues • Immigration vs. immigrant policies • Are current U.S. policies just? • Who should be admitted? Who should be denied? • How is information about policies disseminated? • Is there an adequate infrastructure to implement immigration/immigrant policies? • How can implementation be evaluated? • What are the short- and long-term consequences of U.S. immigration policies

  23. Understanding of Immigration • Usually immigrants and immigrant experiences • Explore further Nodal Points 1 & 2 • Who does not seek to emigrate? • Who rejects the idea of emigrating? • “Better” opportunity in Mexico • Lost benefits of moving • Fear of immigration control policies • No resources to move

  24. Recent observations in EU countries • Concerns about keeping the population • How can economic opportunities be created in sending countries…case of Korea, Japan, India? • Economic opportunities in host countries balanced against loss of culture/networks

  25. Thank you In general…the U.S. is receptive to newcomers…it is still the land of opportunity… Uma A. Segal University of Missouri – St. Louis, U.S.A.

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