Mexican and Central American Immigrants in the United States
Mexican and Central American immigrants are central to the U.S. labor force yet experience lower educational attainment, higher poverty, and more legal vulnerability.
Since 1970, the immigrant populations from Mexico and Central America living in the United States have increased significantly: rising by a factor of 20 even as the total U.S. immigrant population increased four-fold over the period. In addition, numerical limits on permanent migration from the Western Hemisphere and the ending of the guest worker programs of the mid-20th century, in combination with increased demand for low-skilled labor, translated into a substantial share of immigrants from Mexico and Central America being unauthorized. Because of this, as well as their low education levels and limited English proficiency, first-generation immigrants face substantial barriers.
This report examines the age, educational, and workforce characteristics of immigrants, and finds that these immigrants are younger, more likely to be male, and more likely to be married with children than the U.S. born or other immigrant groups. While there is evidence that second-generation Mexican Americans also lag behind their counterparts from other countries, they have higher education levels and higher household incomes than their parents. Ultimately, these factors—in addition to this population’s rapid growth, large families, and high proportion of unauthorized immigrants—will shape the future of U.S. immigration policy debate.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Increased U.S. Immigration from Mexico and Central America Since 1970
III. A Snapshot of Mexican and Central American Immigrants in the United States in 2010
A. Immigration Status
B. Family Structure
C. Education
D. Employment
E. Income
F. Geographic Distribution
IV. Conclusions: Mexican and Central American Immigrants and the U.S. Immigration Debate
About the MPI-EUI Project
This concluded, EU-funded project identified ways in which European and U.S. immigration systems can be improved to address major challenges, in the context of economic turmoil and in the longer term.
About the U.S. Immigration Policy Program
The U.S. Immigration Policy Program provides analysis of U.S. immigration pathways, the impacts of enforcement and other policies, and the characteristics of immigrant populations.
About the Global Program
The Global Program bridges policy advice, research, and candid dialogue to design effective migration policies, drawing on global evidence and anticipating the forces reshaping how people move.
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