Abstract
This research empirically examines differences in the socioeconomic correlates of Mexican migrants to the southern region of the United States. More specifically, the research considers differences between Mexican immigrants choosing the South and those choosing other U.S. destinations. Using general estimating equations, the study provides evidence that several characteristics distinguish the stream of recent migrants choosing southern destinations. Notably, rural origins as well as rural destinations have substantial explanatory power. The results also show that immigrants to the South are likely to be pioneers in the sense that they do not have strong family-specific migration capital and are likely to be from a community without a long history of sending migrants to the United States. Immigrants choosing the South are also more likely to be undocumented. Additionally, they are far more likely to have arrived following implementation of NAFTA. Ownership of houses is also a distinguishing feature of these migrants.
Recommended Citation
Farmer, Frank, and Zola Moon. 2011. "An Empirical Note on the Social and Geographic Correlates of Mexican Migration to the Southern United States." Journal of Rural Social Sciences, 26(2): Article 3. Available at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/jrss/vol26/iss2/3
Publication Date
8-31-2011
