Transcript BRIEFING OUTLINE

Hispanics, Immigrants and The
United States-Mexico Border
Prepared by
Eva M. Moya, LMSW
Healthy Border Program
7/17/2015
U.S. - Mexico Border Part 1
Photo: National Geography 1997
12 million inhabitants
Dangerous territory, heavily fortified and
certainly the busiest border
7/17/2015
400 million border north-bound crossings annually (1998)
2000 miles from east to west – Its dry, desert land, deadly hot.
10 border states (4 in the US and 6 in Mexico)
7/17/2015
Border
is defined as 62 miles north and south of the legal boundary
U.S.-Mexico Border
United States- Mexico Border is characterized by:
• Different cultures and languages (historically agricultural)
• Different economic development & severe macro-economic
issues
• High population growth
• Different health systems
• Higher unemployment rates in the U.S. border
• Two independent sovereign nations
• Beautiful region with a mystique, soul and spirit of its own
• All of the above blend on the border
7/17/2015
U.S.-Mexico Border
However, border communities:
• Share a wealth of human potential and resources
• Share the same land, drink the same water and breath
the same air
• Common health and environment problems
• Mutual economic development and dependence
• Lack universal access to quality medical care and
preventive health services
• Insufficient suitable land for residential development
USMBHA 1998
7/17/2015
Populations affected include
NCFH, 1998
Immigrants
Border crossers
Tribal nations and reservations
Migrant and Seasonal Workers
7/17/2015
Population Growth Trends
100
• In the next 8 years the Mexican Border
population will double
80
60
• In the next 22 years the U.S. Hispanic
Population of the Border will double
40
20
• In the next 43 years the U.S. population all
races in the Border Counties will double
0
US All Races
7/17/2015National
US Hispanics
Mexico
Border States
Border Counties
7/17/2015
Socioeconomic Poverty
• In the U.S. the border region contains five of the
seven poorest MSA
• In Arizona, all three main border cities have been
declared EC/EZ
• Over 39% of the U.S. Border population lives in
poverty, tax base is weak and inadequate
• In New Mexico, Dona Ana County is the 10th
poorest county in the Nation
• Steep decline (60%) in real wages since Mexico
peso devaluation, unemployment rate has soared
and wages in border counties are about 80% state
wide counties
7/17/2015
Housing Conditions on the
U.S.-Mexico Border
Colonias: Symptom, not the problem
Photos:Nickey 1996 /Funhavit
Colonias are substandard developments lacking running
water, sewage systems and often electricity. Unregulated
subdivisions for under-educated consumers.
Grown, in part, out of need for “cash-based” home
ownership strategies
7/17/2015
Substandard Living Conditions
U.S.-Mexico Border
Colonias in the U.S. Border
•Environmental degradation
Dr.Nickey, 1997
•Infectious diseases:TB, Hepatitis (Salmonella and Shigella 3 to 4 times
the national rate)
•All border counties are declared as medically underserved areas
7/17/2015
•Shortage of health care professionals
Leading Causes of Death Along
the U.S.-Mexico Border
(in order of importance)
U.S. All Races
Hispanics
Mexico
•
•
•
•Disease of the heart
•Cancer
•Accidents
•Cerebrovascular Disease
•Homicides
•Diabetes
•HIV/ AIDS
•Cirrhosis
•Pneumonia/ Influenza
•Perinatal Deaths
•Disease of the heart
•Cancer
•Accidents
•Diabetes
•Perinatal Deaths
•Cerebrovascular Disease
•Cirrhosis
•Pneumonia/ Influenza
•Homicides
•Intestinal Infectious
Disease
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Disease of the heart
Cancer
Cerebrovascular
Disease
Pulmonary Chronic
Disease
Accidents
Pneumonia/ Influenza
Diabetes
Suicide
HIV/ AIDS
Homicide
7/17/2015
Issues Associated with Access to Health
Care Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
•
•
•
•
Lack of knowledge on how to access services;
Language and cultural barriers;
Cost of care;
Need for training and distribution of health care
providers;
• Denial of access to services for undocumented
(illegal status) individuals;
• Availability of services; and
• Transportation (distance/means of)
(UA, RHO Border Vision Fronteriza Initiative, Delphi Study, 1997)
7/17/2015
U.S.-Mexico Border
Disease knows no border. It does not need a
visa. It travels at will and it kills at will.
Dr. Nixon, Texas Medical Society 1994
USMBHA, 1998
7/17/2015
Part 2:
United States
2000 Census
- Hispanics -
7/17/2015
Eva M. Moya:
Population Size and Composition
In March 2000, 32.8 million Hispanics lived in the United States.
Latinos and Immigrants are changing the face of the USA
12% of the U.S. population is Hispanic.
People of Mexican origin comprise approximately 66% of the U.S.
Hispanic population.
Latinos/Hispanics are now the largest minority in the country.
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Age
One-third of Hispanics are under age 18.
Among Hispanics, Mexicans have the largest
proportion of people under age 18 (38 percent).
The Hispanic population is younger than the nonHispanic White population.
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Age Distribution by Sex and
Hispanic Origin: 2000
(In percent)
Hispanic
Male
Non-Hispanic
White
age
85+
Female
80-84
Male
Female
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
15
10
5
0
5
10
15
15
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
10
5
0
5
10
15
Percent of Population Aged 65 and Over
by Hispanic Origin: 2000
50
40
30
21
20
10
14
5
4
Hispanic
Mexican
6
5
0
Puerto
Rican
Cuban
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Central
Nonand South Hispanic
American
White
U.S. Citizenship of the Foreign-Born
Hispanic Population by Year of Entry: 2000
(in percent)
80
74.2
70
60
50
45.7
40
30
23.9
20
6.7
10
0
Before 1970
1970 to 1979
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
1980 to 1989
1990 to 2000
Family Households by Type and
Hispanic Origin: 2000
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
13%
24%
5%
9%
68%
82%
Married couple
Male householder,
no spouse present
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Female householder,
no spouse present
Marital Status by Hispanic Origin: 2000
(Population 15 years and over)
Non-Hispanic
White
Hispanic
25%
33%
Married
52%
11%
Widowed
57%
Divorced/Separated11%
Never Married
4%
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
7%
Educational Attainment by
Hispanic Origin: 2000
(Population 25 years and over)
60
54.4
50
40
30
34.1
27.9
27.3
20
10
29.1
15.7
4.2
7.3
0
Less than 9th
grade
9th to 12th grade
(no diploma)
Hispanic
High school
graduate
Non-Hispanic White
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
More than high
school
Percent of Population with a Bachelor’s Degree
or Higher by Hispanic Origin: 2000
(Population 25 years and over)
35
28.1
30
25
23
20
15
17.4
13
10.6
10
6.9
5
0
Hispanic
Mexican
Puerto Rican
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Cuban
Central and
South
American
Non-Hispanic
White
Economic Characteristics
Hispanics were more likely to be unemployed in
March 2000 compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
Among employed Hispanics in March 2000, the most
common occupations were:

service workers

precision production, craft, repair

transportation
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Current Occupation for Men
by Hispanic Origin: 2000
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
17%
22%
29%
19%
3%
9%
15%
8%
15%
21%
11%
31%
Precision production
Service
Managerial, professional
Technical, sales
Farming
Operators, laborers
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Current Occupation for Women
by Hispanic Origin: 2000
Hispanic
13%
Non-Hispanic White
3%
2%
1%
5%
2%
15%
26%
42%
38%
35%
18%
Precision production
Service
Managerial, professional
Technical, sales
Farming
Operators, laborers
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Percent of Population with Full Time, Year
Round Earnings of Less Than $30,000 in 1999
by Sex and Hispanic Origin: 2000
(Population 15 years and over with earnings)
80
70
75.5
68.7
64.7
60
54.6
50
40
40.3
30.7
30
20
10
0
Both Sexes
Male
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
Female
Percent Below Poverty Level in 1999 by Age and
Hispanic Origin
50
40
30.8
30
22.8
20
10
20.4
18.5
8
9.4
7.1
7.6
0
All ages
Under 18
Hispanic
18 to 64
Non-Hispanic White
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
65 and over
Regional Population Distribution
by Hispanic Origin: 2000
Non-Hispanic
White
Hispanic
20%
14%
45%
8%
20%
Northeast
Midwest
South
33%
West
Source: Current Population Survey, March 2000, PGP-4
33%
27%
Part III
Today’s Immigrants
Looking for a Better Life
“What if suddenly the continent turned upside
down? What if the U.S. was Mexico?
What if 200,000 Anglo Saxians were to cross the
border each month, to work as gardeners,
waiters….fruit pickers…
What if you were you and tu fueras I?
Poet, Guillermo Gomez Pena.
7/17/2015
Immigration is the driving force behind a
significant transformation of America.
Census projections assume that ethnic and
racial categories are enduring and less
static. These may be irrelevant in 3
generations.
Complex and charged phenomenon
7/17/2015
Migrant Flows
Legal Immigrants: foreign-born admitted to reside permanently in the
US as LPR. (family-sponsored or employment-based.
Refugee: person outside of the US who seeks protection-fears
persecution in homeland.
Asylee, person who already entered the US and who fears
persecution.
Undocumented Immigrant/Unauthorized Migrants: present in the US
without permission.
Non-immigrant: permitted to enter the US for a period of limited
duration (temporary visa)
Naturalized Citizen: LPR eligible t apply for citizenship through a
process of naturalization.
7/17/2015
Fast Facts on Today’s Newcomers
Did you know that….
About 75% immigrants enter the United States legally.
About three quarters come to join family.
Nearly 10% United States Population are foreign born.
Many undocumented don’t come to United States by
crossing border illegally.
One third of United States Populations in 1997 were
naturalized citizens.
7/17/2015
Immigrants are changed by the experience of
immigration.
The process of uprooting and resettlement. “here
and now” and “there and when”
Change of host societies in profound ways,
schools, media, work and places of worship have all
been transformed.
Mourning of people and places loved.
7/17/2015
Learning to work with our hands and
to work hard form a very young age
“We are just trying to make a life”
“The Children are the bridge between their parents and the culture
form the very beginning”
“The believe in the American Dream is real”
“Dedicated to hard work. Little use of welfare, strong families, and
an entrepreneurial spirit”
“The lowest rate of medical insurance”
“Land of opportunity and a culture of optimism and cultural values”
7/17/2015
Daily 1000 undocumented immigrants cross the
border from Mexico illegally.
Nothing stops the steady flow of immigration, not
higher fences or new laws.
The problems steams from: Laws of supply and
demand.
In USA = I hr work = 1-2 days in Mexico
30.5 million immigrants in the USA = 11% of pop.
7/17/2015
Reality is simple
People leave their countries because of push and
pull factors- Lack of work, low levels of education,
political repression – and they come to the U.S.A
because of pull factors – there are needed.
Account for more than 34% of domestic employees
23% of farmers and fishermen, 21%assembly line
workers,18% industry and 4% hotel/restaurants.
Growth is rapid and highly segregated in the
workplace, schools and neighborhoods.
7/17/2015
Where do Immigrants Come From?
In 1998, top 5 countries United States
received legal immigrants were:
•
•
•
•
•
7/17/2015
Mexico (131,575)
China (36,884)
India (36,482)
Philippines (34,446)
Dominican Republic (20,387)
Immigration will continue to be a
powerful vector of change on both
sides of the Border.
We need to better understand how it is
transforming both countries.
Family reunifications and transnational
networks will continue to play a key
part .
7/17/2015
Where do Refugees Come From?
In 1998, 10 top places were:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7/17/2015
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Former Soviet Union
Vietnam
Somalia
Iran
Cuba
Liberia
Iraq
Sudan, and
Burma
Immigrants & the Economy
 Net economic gains for domestic residents (1-10 billion a year)
 Immigrant remittances and investments are vital to emigrant
communities.
 Pay their own way
 Naturalized Citizens pay more than their share
 Immigrant-Founded Business
 Net economic contributors
 An education and training windfall
 Essential to economy
 Less likely to receive welfare than natives
 Their
7/17/2015
value is beyond fiscal calculations
Part 4
Selected Challenges
and Opportunities
7/17/2015
Challenges and Opportunities
• Promote cooperation and increase level of resources
to improve health prevention and health alternatives
• Frame immigration and migration from endangering
cultural forms to opportunities that dignify people
• Build political will to collaborate and share authority
to address needs
• Prepare professional, educate policy makers and
activists on the border and immigrant/migrant
cultures: synergistic, dynamic and unique
• Need a major research agenda to examine the longterm causes and consequences of immigration.
• Support ethnographic and quantitative studies that
describe and explain the emerging health issues for
guiding strategies for action
7/17/2015
Challenges and Opportunities
• Advocate for health parity and human rights that
eliminate anger, discrimination and opposition.
• Conduct and fund immigration and migrant research
and services.
• Integrate public health functions
• Keep up with the new growth pressures of the
infrastructure (water scarcity)
• Strengthen preventive diplomacy to prevent conflict
• Transfer knowledge to increase health care
7/17/2015
management and access capacity
Challenges and Opportunities
• Create comprehensive health measures. However,
there can probably be no improvement in general
health unless the basic problems of the environment,
sanitation, safe drinking water, affordable housing are
resolved
• Equal opportunities for all (education, health and
business)
• Increase and strengthen community capacity to
address proactive, asset-based and resiliency factors
• Strengthen and expand asset-based housing
initiatives and health insurance coverage
7/17/2015
Basic Elements of Border
Cooperation
• Identification of a common problem
• Recognition that each country is
independent
• Trust and respect
• Consensus in decision making
• Equitable allocation of resources
PAHO/ Filed Office 1999
7/17/2015
Nurture the spirit of welcome
and not of suspicion.
Immigrants are at the heart of
what makes this great country
the most prosperous and
visionary
7/17/2015