The Great Flight: Political Corruption as a Trigger for Mexican Emigration
The Great Flight: Political Corruption as a Trigger for Mexican Emigration
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Date
2023-05
Authors
Little, Dimend
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University Honors College, Middle Tennessee State University
Abstract
Political corruption is a phenomenon that has plagued most societies. However, its
contribution as a push factor in modern Mexican and Central American migration
research must be addressed. Despite public opinion data such as LAPOP's Americas
Barometer illustrating the frequency and disdain of civilians' interaction with petty
corruption and gross distrust in the executive and legislative branches of government,
research in the field remains relatively unexplored. The Migration Policy Institute has
added to limited cross-sectional research in the field by demonstrating that corruption
contributes at least to some extent to emigration desires. This study utilized structured
interviews to measure the extent to which political corruption influenced emigration for
ten immigrants from Mexico and Central America. It found that US foreign policy serves
as a significant pull factor by encouraging migrants to immigrate and permanently settle
in the US. Additionally, the study found that although corruption was not the primary
factor motivating emigration, it was an underlying factor in migrants' search for safety
and security in the United States.