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Mexican Migrant Integration in the United States, 1965–2015

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  • David P. Lindstrom

Abstract

This article uses 20 years of survey data from the Mexican Migration Project to describe how the experiences of Mexico-U.S. migrants have changed over time. I use survey questions about migrants’ experiences on their last U.S. trip to develop composite indices of six integration domains, and then estimate random intercept linear regression models with individual-, family-, and community-level characteristics to explain variations in Mexican migrant integration. I find that, over time, Mexican migrant linguistic and social integration has steadily increased, whereas integration in other family and economic domains changed little or not at all. Results from the multivariate models show the importance of human capital to integration across the multiple domains. Higher education, more time spent in the country of destination, and being male are all strongly associated with higher levels of integration. I also find evidence that both family and community migration networks facilitate integration.

Suggested Citation

  • David P. Lindstrom, 2019. "Mexican Migrant Integration in the United States, 1965–2015," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 684(1), pages 85-104, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:684:y:2019:i:1:p:85-104
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716219856878
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    References listed on IDEAS

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