The Economic Impact of Mexican Immigrants on the Greater Milwaukee Area
Mentor 1
Dr. Swarnjit Arora
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
24-4-2015 10:30 AM
End Date
24-4-2015 11:45 AM
Description
Immigration affects regions of the U.S. in varying ways due to industrial, historical, and demographic differences (Paral, 2009). The focus has been especially strong on Mexican immigrants, considering that they comprise 30% of all U.S. immigrants, but very little research has been conducted on their economic impact on the Midwestern U.S or on their experiences immigrating to the region (U.S. Census, Bureau 2012). The present study estimates the economic impact of Mexican immigrants on the Greater Milwaukee Area in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin. Specifically, the study estimates the direct impact of the Mexican labor force on output, earnings, and full-time jobs using a "multiplier" provided by the Regional Input/Output Modeling System (RIMS II) developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, the study identifies the immigration and integration experiences of Mexican immigrants to the Greater Milwaukee Area by conducting a thematic analysis of face-to-face interviews. Interview participants consisted of 15 Mexican immigrants from the Milwaukee community that were recruited through purposive sampling. Direct impact results show that the direct impact of the Mexican labor force on the Greater Milwaukee Area is $3.90 billion on output, $1.22 billion on earnings, and 74,796 on full-time jobs created. Preliminary interview results show emerging themes of safety as a benefit to migration, discrimination, and access to community resources as a barrier to integration. Overall, results suggest that Mexican immigrants have a very significant economic impact on the Greater Milwaukee Area and thus, any policy decisions affecting the Mexican immigrant population in this area should be considered carefully due to potential large-scale economic impacts.
The Economic Impact of Mexican Immigrants on the Greater Milwaukee Area
Union Wisconsin Room
Immigration affects regions of the U.S. in varying ways due to industrial, historical, and demographic differences (Paral, 2009). The focus has been especially strong on Mexican immigrants, considering that they comprise 30% of all U.S. immigrants, but very little research has been conducted on their economic impact on the Midwestern U.S or on their experiences immigrating to the region (U.S. Census, Bureau 2012). The present study estimates the economic impact of Mexican immigrants on the Greater Milwaukee Area in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin. Specifically, the study estimates the direct impact of the Mexican labor force on output, earnings, and full-time jobs using a "multiplier" provided by the Regional Input/Output Modeling System (RIMS II) developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, the study identifies the immigration and integration experiences of Mexican immigrants to the Greater Milwaukee Area by conducting a thematic analysis of face-to-face interviews. Interview participants consisted of 15 Mexican immigrants from the Milwaukee community that were recruited through purposive sampling. Direct impact results show that the direct impact of the Mexican labor force on the Greater Milwaukee Area is $3.90 billion on output, $1.22 billion on earnings, and 74,796 on full-time jobs created. Preliminary interview results show emerging themes of safety as a benefit to migration, discrimination, and access to community resources as a barrier to integration. Overall, results suggest that Mexican immigrants have a very significant economic impact on the Greater Milwaukee Area and thus, any policy decisions affecting the Mexican immigrant population in this area should be considered carefully due to potential large-scale economic impacts.
