Abstract

IZCARA-PALACIOS, Simón Pedro. USA employers and irregular migration. CienciaUAT [online]. 2018, vol.12, n.2, pp.90-103. ISSN 2007-7858.

The scientific literature has explained irregular migration by means of an emphasis on the role that employers play through the demand of cheap labor for activities that require a low-skilled workforce. This article aims to examine the role of U.S. employers in the operation of irregular migration flows between Mexico and the United States of America. This paper is based on a qualitative methodology that includes in depth interviews with 38 Mexican migrant smugglers. The results showed that irregular migrant flows were encouraged by U.S. employers, and migrants fulfill in many cases the profile demanded by employers. Migrants were mainly strong, healthy, young males with an elevated work capacity and experience in the agriculture and construction sectors. Additionally, young women were mainly employed in the adult entertainment industry Irregular im migration seems to be influenced by labor demand, and it is constituted by a sector of the population that cannot emigrate through legal channels since current U.S. immigration policies prevent them from entering the country due to their lack qualifications or technical capabilities.

Keywords : labor migrants; migrant smugglers; employers; Mexico-US. migration.

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