Case Study → Migration Across the Mexico-US Border (Edexcel A-Level Geography): Revision Notes

Case Study → Migration Across the Mexico-US Border

Context	● For the USA, the issue of illegal migration across the Mexican border is a major policy issue that divides the public and politicians alike
Opposing Ideas	● While Obama was in office, he called for work permits to be issued to many of the estimated 8 mil unauthorised workers living in the USA ● In contrast, President Trump demanded that a wall should be built along the Mexican border to stop illegal migrants from central America from heading N in large numbers
Distribution	● Unauthorised workers are very unevenly spread w/in the USA ○ A major reason why some US citizens have different views on migration because some experience its effects more than others

| Economic
Impacts | + Migrants are a vital part of the USA economy • they work in restaurants, vineyards
etc for long hours and low pay
+ Mexican immigrants contribute approx 4% of total US GDP
• High unemployment in some cities has led to calls for American jobs to be given to
American citizens instead
• US spent $3.8 bn on border security in 2015 | | National Security | ● 2001 terrorist attacks in USA heightened security concerns dramatically
● Support grew for the anti-immigration 'Tea Party' movement
● In 2016, Trump suggested that Musims should be banned from entering the USA on
the basis that the global terror group ISIS pledge allegiance to Islam • Insisted he
was simply thinking of ways to safeguard national security
○ Many found this v offensive
|

| Demographic
Impacts | ● Youthful migration helps offset the costs of an ageing population
● Higher birth rates of some immigrant communities is changing the ethnic population
composition of the USA
+ Hispanic population (1950-2020) ↑ by over 55 mil
• Projections suggest white Americans will no longer be the majority ethnic group by
2065 | | Cultural Change | ● Migrants can alter places through food (eg. Tacos), music & language
● Impacting the content of US media as programmers & advertisers seek out a larger
share of the audience by offering Spanish-language TV |

| Recent Changes | ● In 2016, the US Department of Homeland Security strengthened its national
operation to deport unauthorised Central American families
● No. families crossing border ↑ed significantly in 2015 due to drought and
gang-related violence in El Salvador and Honduras
● There were about 11.3 mil illegal immigrants in the USA in 2017
○ Over half from Mexico |

•                                                               U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis*