Mexicans historically immigrated to the US for work opportunities in agriculture, drawn by land and railroads, and often returned to Mexico though family networks in the US led to continued immigration. The author discusses two realistic options for the future of Mexican immigration: leaving policies as they are with stronger border control and economic reforms to reduce illegal crossings; or establishing a formal immigration agreement between the US and Mexico to define commitments, reforms, and cooperation on the issue across both borders.

1. Ex Mex: From Migrants to Immigrants Jorge G. Castaneda Why Do Mexican’s Immigrate?

2. Land to work in America Railroads to work in America Seasonal work in America Almost always returned to Mexico though In the Past

3. So many years of Immigration have built Mexican communities in the United States. Therefore family will travel here purely to be closer to their families who now live in the U.S. “…roughly half of all Mexicans, regardless of their income, age(except the elderly), or education, would go north, if they could” (Pg. 48, Ex Mex) Yet still immigration from Mexico to the U.S. rarely goes beyond 400,000 a year. In the Present

4. “…there are only two realistic avenues of evolution for the migration conundrum.” (Pg. 173, Ex Mex) Realistic Option #1 “…to leave well enough alone.” (Pg. 173, Ex Mex) Stronger Border control Free Trade Economic growth Stronger interior surveillance in U.S. Number of illegal entries can be brought down to 500,000 a year. Half of what it is now The Future

5. Realistic Option #2 “…an immigration agreement between the United States and Mexico…” (Pg. 176), Ex Mex) May be extended to other countries other then Mexico in future Specific commitments and internal reforms Precise terms of cooperation on the issue More laws on both sides of the borders Content Ex Mex: From Migrants to Immigrants Jorge G. Casteneda The Future cont.