Less Mexicans Are Emigrating To The U.S. Due To Recession

According to Mexican census data gathered by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, about 226,000 fewer Mexicans are emigrating (legally and otherwise) to other countries. Previously, the number of Mexicans moving to the U.S. has increased steadily in recent years, with a drop following the events of September 11. Demographers say the findings suggest what many Americans have long believed to be the case - that illegal immigrants from Mexico venture to the U.S. in search of jobs and, when there are none to be found, they tend to stay put. The outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the virus’ impact on international travel may also have had something to do with this drop in numbers, but, in either case, demographers believe the lull in Mexican emigration to be temporary. 

For the time being, signs off the drop in numbers can be seen along the U.S.-Mexican border:

Along the border, the signs of the drop-off are subtle but ubiquitous. Only two beds are filled in a shelter here that houses migrants hoping to sneak into the United States. On the American side, near Calexico, Calif., Border Patrol vans return empty to their base after agents comb the desert for illegal crossers.

Interestingly, numbers don’t reflect any increase in Mexican migrant workers leaving the U.S. for home. Some suggest that another reason for the drop in Mexicans traveling illegally to the United States is that their relatives living in America no longer have the resources to pay for family members’ dangerous and expensive journey across the border - smugglers’ fee for a trip to Los Angeles can set immigrants or their families back $3,000 - $5,000.

It’s interesting to see Americans’ take on Mexican migration to the U.S. Take, for example, these answers for a question on “WikiAnswers” asking “Why do Mexicans move to the US?” 

Answer

We have freedoms that they don’t have. They also want to work and send money to Mexico - it helps their economy. It doesn’t help us as we use tax dollars to deport illegal immigrants, we also lose money when they send it out of the country.

 

Plain and Simple

They come to the United States for a DREAM..They want to live a better life. Who doesn’t?????That is why your ancestors came here in the first place too..

 

Answer

Their economy is poor, too many problems, they see the USA as the land of opportunity. They come up here to work and then send money back to Mexico to their families (a strain on our economy as we need the money to go into our economy, not theirs).

 

Answer

There are simply not enough jobs in Mexico that will pay them for what they will get paid in the US. It is NOT just Mexicans BUT all people from all over the world that are coming to the US and marrying US Citizens for around $2000 a pop. Then they bring their whole family! I married her but it was not for money. It was because she got preganant by me (not all her fault - stupid rythym method - I miscounted). Once she was eligible for Citizenship she started a fight, got me arrested and now I am in process of having her deported for filing False Police Report. Surprise! I get the last laugh! I only feel sorry for our 2 kids. they will be left without a mother but better that than a mother who constantly says very nasty things about me! RAArchie For further questions or just to talk - e-mail me at: c*****factory))@c*****factory**.com

Um. What?

Mexican Data Say Migration to U.S. Has Plummeted [NY Times]