Mexico to America case study

Migration is the movement of people from one region to another on a permanent basis

It usually occurs over some considerable distances and can be from country to country

International migrants are called immigrants (migrants who come into a country) and emigrants (migrants who leave a country)

In Medc's most internal migrants move from urban areas to rural areas

In Ledc's most internal movement is from rural areas to urban areas

Forced Migration is where people who are known as refugees migrate to escape persecution or natural disasters

Voluntary migration us where people move to improve their quality of life

Economic - To improve job prospects, income and standard of living which is usually the most important for the majority of people.

Social - The prospect of better educational opportunities, better medical services, or the desire to join families and friends.

Political - Religious or Political persecution, forcing people to flee for their lives.

Environmental - Problems caused by drought, famine, epidemics, volcanic eruptions or other environmental disasters.

Push factors - are disadvantages or problems with an area that cause people to leave - such as few jobs, lack of educational or medical facilities & religious persecution

Pull Factors - are advantages that attract migrants to a particular destination - They are often the opposite of push factors or could be more specific as in many wishing to come to Britain for their knowledge of the language for example

International migration is the movement of populations between countries

Around 70 million people migrate between countries every year

This type of migration is less common than internal population due to the longer distances involved and the political controls imposed by countries to restrict the free movement of people

Relief of shortages such as jobs, housing for country of departure

Emigrants send money back to their families If migrants return they take back new skills with

them Reduction of birth rate as it is mainly the young

males who leave the country The host country acquire young energetic

workers with enterprise Cultural diversification and a more multi-ethnic

society develops Unwanted jobs are filled by cheap labour

The country of departure loses its most enterprising individuals

Only the very young and old remain creating a vicious circle of decline

Growth of emigration culture Inhabitants depend on remittances from the people who

have emigrated In the host country there is increased pressure on

resources such as housing Discrimination can develop against the ethnic minorities Congestion can develop in cities Disease can spread - TB Social problems can develop due predominance of

young male migrants

There is a 2000km border between USA and Mexico.

1 million + Mexicans migrate to the USA every year.

Illegal migration is a huge problem for USA and Mexico

US Border Patrol guard the border and try to prevent illegal immigrants

850,000 were caught in 1995 and were deported

Poor medical facilities - 1800 per doctor Low paid jobs - (GNP = $3750) Adult literacy rates 55% - poor education

prospects Life expectancy 72 yrs 40% Unemployed

Excellent medical facilities - 400 per doctor Well paid jobs - GNP = $24,750) Adult literacy rates 99% - good education

prospects Life expectancy 76 yrs Many jobs available for low paid workers

such as Mexicans

Illegal migration costs the USA millions of dollars for border patrols and prisons

Mexicans are seen as a drain on the USA economy Migrant workers keep wages low which affects

Americans They cause problems in cities due cultural and

racial issues Mexican migrants benefit the US economy by

working for low wages Mexican culture has enriched the US border states

with food, language and music The incidents of TB has been increasing greatly due

to the increased migration

The Mexican countryside has a shortage of economically active people

Many men emigrate leaving a majority of women who have trouble finding marraige partners

Young people tend to migrate leaving the old and the very young

Legal and illegal immigrants together send some $6 billion a year back to Mexico

Certain villages such as Santa Ines have lost 2/3 of its inhabitants