Migration Strategies in Urban Contexts: Labor Migration from Mexico City to the United States

Resumen

The progressive urbanization of Mexican society is a process strongly associated with the increasing participation of the urban-origin population in the migratory flow to the United States. The “urbanization” of this international labor flow has changed the profile of Mexican migration to the United States. This article examines the social dynamics of international migration in urban contexts, particularly in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. Based on a migration systems perspective, the article explores the way that international migration operates in Mexico City and the different migration strategies pursued by migrants from this city. The article analyses demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of individuals in the Mexico City survey (conducted by the author) as well as their patterns of internal and international migration, and the general characteristics of their U.S. migration experience. Finally, it presents some biographical sketches to illustrate the various patterns of migration from Mexico City.RESUMENLa acelerada urbanización de la sociedad mexicana es un proceso fuertemente asociado a la creciente participación de población de origen urbano en el flujo migratorio hacia Estados Unidos. Esta “urbanización” del flujo laboral internacional ha promovido cambios en el perfil de la migración mexicana hacia Estados Unidos. El presente artículo examina la dinámica social de la migración internacional en contextos urbanos, particularmente en la zona metropolitana de la ciudad de México (ZMCM). Con base en la perspectiva de los sistemas migratorios, el artículo explora la forma en que opera la migración internacional en dicha ciudad y las diferentes estrategias migratorias adoptadas por los migrantes de ella. Se analizan las características socioeconómicas y demográficas de los individuos incluidos en la encuesta de la ciudad de México (levantada por el autor), sus patrones de migración interna e internacional y las características generales de su experiencia migratoria a Estados Unidos. Finalmente, se presentan algunos resúmenes biográficos que ilustran distintos patrones migratorios desde la ciudad de México.

Imagen de portada

Palabras clave

• international migration
• migration patterns
• urban migration
• Mexico City
• United States

Cómo citar

Citas

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66. Fecha de recepción: 1 de marzo de 2004
67. Fecha de aceptación: 28 de mayo de 2004