Continental Divides: International Migration in the Americas

This volume offers a comprehensive analysis of migration patterns in Latin America, comparing them with the Mexican case in Continental Divides: International Migration in the Americas.

Migration between Mexico and the U.S. has long been a focal point of research, as it represents the largest sustained migratory flow between two nations worldwide. However, in recent decades, the dynamics of migration have evolved significantly across Latin America and the Caribbean. The region has transitioned from being primarily a net receiver of migrants to becoming one of the leading sources of emigration globally. This shift has prompted a broader examination of migration patterns beyond the Mexican context.

In Continental Divides: International Migration in the Americas, leading scholars come together to address the limitations of focusing solely on the Mexican case. This volume presents the first systematic assessment of migration patterns throughout Latin America, drawing on ongoing research from the Mexican case as a comparative framework. Each chapter investigates specific propositions derived from the Mexican experience that have yet to be explored in other Latin American or Caribbean nations. By employing a shared methodology and theoretical approach, the authors shed light on the causes and consequences of migration across the Western Hemisphere.

The authors tackle four key questions: the individual determinants of migration, the structural causes influencing movement, the impacts of migration on various communities, and the effects of government policies on immigration flows. Utilizing data from the Mexican Migration Project and the Latin American Migration Project, this volume offers insights into 118 Mexican communities and 35 communities from other countries, including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Haiti. Through a comparative lens, this work enhances our understanding of migration, presenting a vital contribution to the discourse on international migration in the 21st century.