Crossing the border

About this book

"Crossing the Border dispels two primary myths about Mexican migration: First, that those who come to the United States are predominantly impoverished and intend to settle here permanently; and second, that the only way to keep them out is with stricter border enforcement. Contributors Nadia Y. Flores, Ruben Hernandez-Leon, and Douglas S. Massey show that Mexican migrants are generally not destitute but in fact cross the border because the higher comparative wages in the United States help them to finance homes back in Mexico, where limited credit opportunities makes it difficult for them to purchase housing. William A. Kandel's chapter on immigrant agricultural workers debunks the myth that these laborers are part of a shadowy, underground population that sponges off of social services." "In contrast, he finds that most Mexican agricultural workers in the United States are paid by check and not under the table. These workers pay their fair share in U.S. taxes and - despite high rates of eligibility - they rarely utilize welfare programs. Research from the project also indicates that heightened border surveillance is an ineffective strategy to reduce the immigrant population. Pia M. Orrenius demonstrates that strict barriers at popular border crossings have not kept migrants from sneaking into the United States, but rather have prompted them to seek out other entry points, which are often more hazardous to traverse. Belinda I. Reyes uses statistical models and qualitative interviews to show that the militarization of the Mexican border has actually kept immigrants who wanted to leave the United States from returning home by making them fear that they might be caught crossing back into Mexico."--Jacket.