Mexican national identity as a barrier to economic integration with North America

Abstract

Mexican migration - legal and illegal - has played an important role in the social, political and economic life of the United States. Numerous studies show that in the span of 37 years the Mexican population in the neighboring country of the North has grown exponentially and, along with this growth, there are a series of cultural manifestations that have come to impact American society. The manifestations change, because so does the Mexican migrant and he/she changes because of his/her desire to be accepted by the one who owns the place and the money. Mexicans have created organizations and have obtained certain rights where they are not supposed to have them. They have gained ground. The "bear" has had to make room in its lair for the "porcupine".1 The U.S. and Canada do not want total economic integration among NAFTA signatories because that would mean free mobility for Mexican workers in their territories, but is total integration necessary? Migrants have monopolized jobs at all levels, from agriculture to the highest levels; they have evolved, they have adapted.