8.3B Migration & Political Tensions

• • But today, few countries support or want a large influx of outsiders, for a variety of reasons:
  • Immigrants will vote for parties' centre or left and not to the right as these tend to be against migration 
  • Immigrants will head for economic core regions and to inner city regions and can impact on voting patterns 
  • When immigrant groups reach a certain size and standing, they begin to develop their own politicians instead of people from the host society 
  • High levels of migration into one country can lead to political tension
• The most well-known example is the Mexico/US border:

  • Between 1900 and 1920 24 million new arrivals were registered due to the 'open door' policy of that time
  • Subsequently, migration restrictions have been introduced, with the US Green Card becoming harder to obtain
  • Now, there are approximately 40 million non-US born citizens, with many more undocumented, illegal migrants
• The most well-known example is the Mexico/US border:

  • Due in part to increased immigration enforcement and to a strengthening Mexican economy. In recent years, the number of Mexicans leaving the United States is greater than inward migration, even though the country remains the top destination for Mexican emigrants
  • Since 2013, Mexico stopped being the top country of origin to the United States, overtaken by India and China
  • Infact, most migrants into the US, are more likely to be college graduates, than field workers of prior decades
• benefits for Mexico (migrants migrating to the US):

  • Migrants send home remittances
  • Remittances can then support a better standard of living for those left behind
  • Builds better housing, healthcare and education
  • Less competition for jobs and housing in Mexico
• Costs for Mexico (migrants migrating to the US):

  • Large scale depopulation of towns and villages
  • Many men migrate, leaving a majority of women who have problems finding marriage partners
  • Migration can break up families
  • Young people tend to migrate, leaving the old and very young dependents behind
  • Rural areas of Mexico have shortages of economically active people and lack key workers – Drs, teachers etc. 
• Benefits for US (Mexican migrants migrating):

  • Businesses have benefitted as they now have a source of cheap labour and higher profits
  • Mexicans are prepared to do many of the jobs that Americans do not want such as fruit picking or factory work
  • Large numbers of Mexicans have brought their culture and food with them making Mexican food very popular in California (Mexifornia)
  • More competition for jobs and housing in USA, benefitting landlords and businesses 
  • Mexican immigrants contribute approximately 4% to the US's GDP
• Costs for US (Mexican migrants migrating):

  • Unskilled American workers find it harder to get jobs, as they want a higher wage than Mexican migrants
  • Wages are kept low, and all-American workers are affected
  • Increased cultural and racial tension, especially in the towns
  • Illegal migration is seen as a drain on the American economy – border patrol costs, holding centres, prisons, transport costs for repatriation, health care etc
  • The USA spent $4.2 billion on US/Mexico border security in 2020