[Temporary migration of adolescents and young people 1993-1997]

Data from the National Survey of Migration on the Northern Border of Mexico (EMIF) are used to analyze changes in the flow of temporary workers to the US. The work assesses the number and characteristics of Mexican migrants who went to work in the US and returned to Mexico during the first three EMIF rounds between 1993 and 1997 and analyzes the flow of migrants returned by the border patrol. 1.4 million Mexicans went to work in the US and returned to Mexico between 1993 and 1997. Fewer than 4% of the returning migrants were women. 2% were 12-17 years old and 27% were 18-24 years old. Younger migrants were significantly better educated and less likely to be married or household heads than older migrants. 18% of adolescent and 33% of young adult migrants followed the traditional route to California. 86% of adolescent migrants had no previous migration experience 85% had no entry documents and 92% had no work permits. 94% of adolescent and 88% of young adult migrants reported receiving help from family or friends in the US. 55% of adolescents and 29% of young adults paid for help in crossing the border. 20% of adolescents and young adults returned to Mexico without finding work. Around two-thirds of the young migrants found work in industry and services with the proportion in agriculture much lower than among older migrants. Adolescents and young adults earned an average of US$120 and US$40 per month less respectively than the average for all migrants. EMIF data indicate that slightly over half of the 1.9 million undocumented migrants returned by the Immigration and Naturalization Service during 1993-97 were under 24 years of age demonstrating the greater vulnerability of younger migrants.