Migration
History of Migration
Migration between Mexico and the United States began to move in waves for the first time in the beginning of the 20th century. Before this, the Japanese and other migrants from Asia were the primary influx of labor migrants in the United States. Once the U.S. entered World War I, the flow of Asian migrants was halted and the need for Mexican labor migrants increased. There was an agreement put in place between the United States and Mexico which allowed for the exportation of workers from Mexico to migrate to the U.S. in order to send more American workers to fight in WWI. Once the war was over, the U.S. tried to get back to an economy of largely American workers and this lead to the creation of the U.S. Border Patrol.
However, the ‘Roaring Twenties’ demanded such a need for migrant workers that Mexican immigrants began crossing the border illegally. Once the Great Depression hit, Mexican migrant workers were the first to be blamed for joblessness in America and they were deported in mass waves. Yet again, Mexican migrant workers were called upon during World War II to work as farmers or ‘braceros’ to keep steady the production and supply of food in the U.S. while the American workers were at war. After an increase in illegal braceros, in 1954 the U.S. began ‘Operation Wetback’ which apprehended almost 1 million Mexican workers.
When the Bracero agreement between the U.S. and Mexico ended in 1960, illegal immigration between Mexico and the U.S. began skyrocketing. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) which was enacted in 1986 made it illegal to hire or recruit illegal immigrants but also increased border patrol making illegal migrants fearful of returning home. When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1994, the crossing of borders of goods became virtually limitless, while the border crossing of Mexican migrants remained riddled with difficulties.
Current Situation
Mexico is no longer the top country of recent immigrants to the United States. In 2013, China and India became the most most common nations of origin of immigrants who have resided in the United States for less than one year. Moreover, according to a report from Pew Research Center, more immigrants from Mexico have returned back to their country than have migrated to the United States since the end of the Great Recession of 2007-2009.
The decline in Mexican results from the following factors: weakened job opportunities in the United States tougher border enforcement, the long-term decline in Mexico’s birth rates, and the improving Mexican economy.
Statistics
In 2014, more than 11.7 million Mexican immigrants were said to be living in the United States. The Mexican population took credit for 28 percent (of the 42.4 million foreign-born population), which was by far the largest immigrant origin group in the country. Between 2006 and 2010, the number of Mexican immigrants increased by 200,000, in comparison to the 2 plus million who arrived in the five years prior to this time. Between 2009 and 2014, 1 million Mexicans went back to their native land, the top reason being family reunification. During that same time period, 870,000 Mexicans immigrated to the United States. Though that number may seem high, it is reported to be less than previous years. The Department of Homeland Security has estimated that 8 out of 10 illegal immigrants are in fact Mexican. Also reported by the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mexico was one of the leading countries of origin for removals.
