What makes you go back home?

What Makes You Go Back Home?
Determinants of the Duration of Migration of Mexican Immigrants in the U.S.

Carmen Carrion-Flores The University of Florida

October 30th 2009 Facultad de Economia, UANL Monterrey, N.L. Mexico

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

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Outline of Talk

Literature Review Describe Recent US MigrationPolicies. Identifying determinants of migration trips. Cox Proportional Hazard Model. Mixed Proportional Hazard Model. Highlight some Policy Implications.

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

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Motivation

The pattern of mexican migration to the US has been characterized by it temporary nature (Cornelius, 1976; Massey et al. 1987; Ranney andReyes 2001). Although not all immigrants move temporarily, most Mexican immigrants eventually return to Mexico after a short period of time (Durand & Massey, 1992; Massey et al., 1987 & 1994). In recent years, the overall pattern of trip duration may have changed. In the popular media, we hear that there is a more permanent settlement in the US by Mexican Nationals.

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Motivation

Describe how the duration of migration varies across individuals and in between migration trips.

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

4 / 24

Motivation

Describe how the duration of migration varies across individuals and in between migration trips.
This studylooks at individual-level data in a longitudinal setting.

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

4 / 24

Motivation

Describe how the duration of migration varies across individuals and in between migration trips.
This study looks at individual-level data in a longitudinal setting. This study introduces expected wages and measures of migrationcosts.

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

4 / 24

Motivation

Describe how the duration of migration varies across individuals and in between migration trips.
This study looks at individual-level data in a longitudinal setting. This study introduces expected wages and measures of migration costs.

Examine whether demographic characteristics,economic conditions or social networks drive the duration of stay by Mexican immigrants in the US.

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

4 / 24

Motivation

Describe how the duration of migration varies across individuals and in between migration trips.
This study looks at individual-level data in a longitudinal setting. This study introducesexpected wages and measures of migration costs.

Examine whether demographic characteristics, economic conditions or social networks drive the duration of stay by Mexican immigrants in the US.
In particular, this study "prices" the e¤ect of increased border enforcement.

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

4 / 24

Motivation

Describe howthe duration of migration varies across individuals and in between migration trips.
This study looks at individual-level data in a longitudinal setting. This study introduces expected wages and measures of migration costs.

Examine whether demographic characteristics, economic conditions or social networks drive the duration of stay by Mexican immigrants in the US.
In particular, this study"prices" the e¤ect of increased border enforcement. Ability to make e¤ective policy changes requires an understanding of how immigrants respond to a changes in immigration policy.

Carmen Carrion Flores (UF)

XI Encuentro Internacional Capital Humano

10/09

4 / 24

Main Findings

Mexican immigrants early in the stage of family formation tend to remain in the US for shorter periods of...