CAMBRIDGE AS GEOGRAPHY - CASE STUDY: MEXICAN MIGRATION TO USA.

1. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
MEXICO TO USA
EXAM CASE STUDY
AS GEOGRAPHY – MIGRATION

2. SYLLABUS
This case study follows
precisely the Cambridge
AS 2019 syllabus requests
for one of the
“Migration” case studies.
Candidates must study
one international
migration stream:
its causes, character,
scale, pattern and
impacts on source areas
and receiving and
destination areas.

3. PUSH AND PULL FACTORS
Migration from Mexico to the USA has been one of the world’s major
migration streams over the past 40 years. This has been primarily a
labour migration.
Clear push and pull factors can be identified to explain this migration.
In the early part of the twentieth century the American government
allowed the recruitment of Mexican workers as guest workers.
There was very little illegal migration from Mexico to the USA until the
early 1980s, which was stimulated by a combination of high population
growth in Mexico and the economic crisis of the early 1980s.
During this period Mexican migrants spread out more widely in the
USA than ever before.

4. MEXICANIMMIGRANTS19661999

5. EMPLOYMENT
Mexican workers have found employment mainly in agriculture,
construction, various manufacturing industries and in low paid service jobs.
As attitudes in the USA hardened against illegal immigrants, Congress
passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) in 1986.
Labour migration continued at a high rate even after economic and
employment growth in Mexico improved in the late 1990s.
By 2006 there were an estimated 12 million Mexican-born people living in
the US. This amounted to around 11 per cent of living people born in
Mexico.
There is a very strong concentration of the US-Mexican population in the
four states along the Mexican border; California, Arizona, New Mexico and
Texas. The concentration is particularly strong in California and Texas.

6. DISTRIBUTIONOFMEXICANPOPULATIONINLAAREA

7. THE MEXICAN MIGRANT CULTURE IN USA
Mexican culture has had a sustained impact on many areas in the US,
particularly urban areas close to the border.
The Mexican population in the United States has undergone a process of
assimilation over time.
Labour supply pressures for emigration from Mexico peaked in the late
1990s and are likely to fall in coming years.
All but a very small fraction of emigration from Mexico is to the US.
The recent global economic crisis saw unemployment in the US rise to about
10 per cent, the worst job situation for 25 years. Immigration always
becomes a more sensitive issue in times of high unemployment.
A migrant culture has become established in many Mexican communities.

8. DECLININGEMIGRATIONFROMMEXICO

9. OPPOSITION TO MEXICAN MIGRATION INTO THE USA
The US Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) argues that
unskilled newcomers:
- Undermine the employment opportunities of low-skilled US workers
- Have negative environmental effects
- Threaten established US cultural values
The recent global economic crisis saw unemployment in the USA rise to
about 10% - the worst job situation for 25 years.
Immigration always becomes a more sensitive issue in times of high
unemployment. Those opposed to FAIR see its actions as uncharitable and
racist. Such individuals and groups highlight the advantages that Mexican
and other migrant groups have brought to the country.

11. THE IMPACT ON MEXICO
Sustained large-scale labour migration has and a range of impacts on
Mexico.
A migrant culture has become established in many Mexican communities.
Significant impacts include:
- The high value of remittances, which totalled $25 billion in 2008
- Reduced unemployment pressure, as migrants tend to leave areas where
unemployment is particularly high
- Lower pressure on housing stock and public services
- Changes in population structure
- Loss of skilled and enterprising people
- Migrants returning to Mexico with changed values and attitudes.

13. State 4 differences between the USA and MEXICO that have
stimulated a high rate of migration from Mexico to the USA.

14. Average income.
Unemployment rates.
The growth of the labour force.
The overall quality of life.

15. When did high illegal immigration from Mexico to USA begin?

16. The early 1980’s.

17. When did high illegal immigration from Mexico to USA begin?

18. California and Texas.