usa case study

Question 1

patterns of immigration to the US

Answer 1

% of the foreign born population
2018:
-Mexico 11.2 million living there (25%) –> physically close and porous borders
-China 2.9 million (6%) high population with lots looking for jobs, historical movement, family reunification
-India 2.6 million (6%) –> jobs, historical movement, reunification

Question 2

patterns of emigration from the US

Answer 2

over 2 million americans live in mexico

-Mexico 750k –> proximity, reunification, retirement
-Canada 300k –> proximity, similar culture, high quality of life, politics
-UK 190k –> jobs- offices in different countries, quality of life

Question 3

Obama migration policies

Answer 3

-DACA- deferred action for childhood arrivals. Allowed nearly 700000 immigrants who came as children illegally to stay and work legally & amnesty from deportation for two years but not citizenship
-DREAMERS- would give permanent citizenship was talked about but not put into place before his presidency ended

Question 4

Trump (1st presidency) migration policies

Answer 4

-Title 42 in 2020 allowed US authorities to expel migrants and asylum seekers at the border
-nearly 400000 were expelled before Trump left the office

Question 5

Biden migration policies

Answer 5

-he kept Title 42 during Covid- over 2 million were expelled
-expired in 2023 and new policies which encouraged legal migration by certain routes & were strict on illegal migration- allowed the swift removal of migrants who entered before their asylum was accepted

Question 6

Trump (second presidency) migration policies

Answer 6

21 new actions to change immigration policies
allowing mass deportations and arrests of immigrants
trying to end birth right citizenship

2.5 million deported in 2025

OBBBA–> significant crackdown on all migration, strong focus on mass deportation and stronger border control

Question 7

economic interdependence

Answer 7

-one of the largest sources of remittances globally
-recipient countries:
india-$125 bill
mexico-$67 bill
china-$50 bill
- mexico is one of the largest trading partners- bilateral trade was around 15% of all trade in the US

Question 8

political interdependence

Answer 8

mexico:
they cooperate a lot along the border on infrastructure, transportation, planning and security
they collaborate with institutions that address migration, natural resource and environmental and health issues

Question 9

social interdependence

Answer 9

mexico:
lots of cultural and family ties
migration contributes to the health and education of the host country (usa)
they sent more than 70 firefighters during the LA wildfires

Question 10

opportunities created by immigration

Answer 10

-immigrants start new businesses at a higher rate than US born individuals –> increases the demand for labour by creating job vacancies –> contributing to the economy
-increased homeownership rates and increased tax revenues in areas which decreased overall cost of public benefits
-large contributions to artistic, cultural, culinary, athletic and scientific endeavour

Question 11

challenges created by immigration

Answer 11

-large porous borders between the US and Mexico- crossing its illegal and dangerous and migrants face many dangers like smugglers, criminals, cartels, and risks of kidnapping and extortion
-large source of political discussion