The public cost of immigration is a matter of ongoing and sometimes intense political debate in California.  One of the least understood issues in the debate is whether many of those who come to the United States return home and, if so, whether they differ from those who remain.  Return migration has important ramifications for a number of policy concerns, including the composition of the immigrant population, the use of social services, and the potential for assimilation.  To shed light on this issue, the author analyzes  data on return migration for a sample of more than 42,000 immigrants from western Mexico - an area that accounts for a large percentage of California's immigrants.

Dynamics of Immigration: Return Migration to Western Mexico

Politics & Social Sciences

Belinda I. Reyes

Social Sciences

Public Policy Institute of California

Controlling unauthorized immigration along the U.S.-Mexican border has become an increasingly important national objective. Despite initial bipartisan support for this strategy, concerns about its effectiveness are beginning to emerge. This report addresses the following questions: Has increased border enforcement changed decisions to migrate? Has it changed where and how people cross the U.S.-Mexican border? Has it led to an increase in migrant deaths? Has it altered how long immigrants stay once they arrive? Has it reduced the total number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.? What other policy options might help curb unauthorized immigration?

Holding the Line: The Effect of the Recent Border Build-Up on Unauthorized Immigration

Hans P. Johnson

Richard Van Swearingen

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Belinda I. Reyes. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Belinda I. Reyes