The need to understand the migration between the United States and Mexico is greater today than at any time in its century long history. Its volume and complexity are greater than most observers might have imagined even a decade ago; and it operates in a context charged with serious human, political, and security challenges. Yet, there is often confusion over the most fundamental questions about the demography, economics, and political nature of the movement and its policy responses. The editors of this book bring together a team of top policy-oriented migration experts from Mexico and the United States to provide an up-to-date analysis leading to grounded policy recommendations for both governments. Their conclusions derive from new analyses as well as from detailed discussions with policy-makers. Contributors assess the main characteristics, trends, and factors influencing Mexico-U.S. migration and recommend actions that should improve migration management, substantially reduce undocumented flows, and refocus Mexican migration into legal channels. Also contained within this book are recommendations of development strategies in Mexico that should reduce mid- to long-term emigration pressures. The book shows that collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico is not only possible, but necessary, as unilateral reforms will continue to fail until both governments act together to regulate the flow, improve conditions for the migrants, and make sure that migration has positive social and economic impacts on both countries.

Mexico is becoming increasingly important as a focus of U.S. immigration policy, and the movement of people across the U.S.-Mexico border is a subject of intense interest and controversy. The U.S. approach to cross-border flows is in flux, the economic climate in Mexico is uncertain, and relations between the two neighbors have entered a new stage with the launching of NAFTA. This volume draws together original essays by distinguished scholars from a variety of disciplines and both sides of the border to examine current impetuses to migration and policy options for Mexico and the U.S.