2-1 Discussion: Latin America Migration
There are a variety of push/pull factors that have impacted the movement of Latin American people.
Migration to the United States by Latin American individuals is not something new; however, over the
last decade, there has been a significant change in the demographic composition of those trying to cross
the border. The majority of migrants in 2018 were from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador while the
majority of migrants who tried to enter the United States in 2007 were from Mexico. Although some
migrants come to the U.S. for the economic and social benefits, more recent research suggests "that
more decide to begin new lives in the U.S. primarily because of real fears about their futures - fears that
'push' them northward despite increased border security and stricter U.S. immigration policies" (Push or
pull factors: What drives Central American migrants to the U.S.? 2021).
The countries Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador are known as the “Northern Triangle countries” as
“they are the three most northern most Central American countries” (Push or pull factors: What drives
Central American migrants to the U.S.? 2021). Economic, social, and political similarities are shared by
these countries including widespread gang violence, corruption, extreme poverty, and high crime rates
(all of which have a significant influence on migrant's decisions to leave). Current studies of migration
over the southern border place the blame for migration on a complex interaction between the
numerous "push" and "pull" factors that induce people to leave their homes. The majority of experts
concur that the recent rise in migration from the Northern Triangle is due to immediate threats of
violence, corruption, and environmental degradation in these countries, which are categorized as "push"
factors, as well as contributing factors of U.S. immigration policy and practice, as well as the activities
and propaganda of smuggling organizations (Push or pull factors: What drives Central American migrants
to the U.S.? 2021).
The accessibility of the U.S. to Mexican immigrants is attractive due to the location of the U.S. as it is
relatively close to their home country, friends, and families they may be leaving behind. A significant
motivating factor is the sometimes-unfounded expectation that the United States will provide solutions
to many of the issues that drove people to leave their native country in the first place. Those trying to
leave the Northern Triangle may also be persuaded by this as they are bordered on the east by the
Pacific Ocean and on the west by the Carribean Sea. Additionally, the Northern Triangle is bordered by
Nicaragua to the south and Mexico to the north. With the “promise” of the United States being the “all-
solve” to their issues, they are more likely to want to move northward instead of south. The United
States is also accessible by land to those coming from the Northern Triangle of Central America if they
move north and migrate through Mexico.
References:
Push or pull factors: What drives Central American migrants to the U.S.? National Immigration Forum.
(2021, November 1). Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://immigrationforum.org/article/push-
or-pull-factors-what-drives-central-american-migrants-to-the-u-s/
