Mexican and Central American I

David E. Lopez et al. find that Central Americans and Mexicans constitute and overwhelming amount of the blue-collar and service work force. These immigrants from these countries "toil in predominantly low-paying jobs that would seem to offer little more than day-to-day survival (Lopez et al. pg. 294)." This trend won't stop any time soon either. Gutierrez states, "the fact that the U.S. economy is generating a high proportion of low-income jobs suggests that the supply of such jobs and the casualization of many of these labor markets will probably continue." This is not an ideal situation for any class of people. No one likes to see a convergence of class and ethnicity at the lower levels of the occupational ladder. However, the need for workers in these types of jobs is at a high demand and these immigrants have provided the labor to fill that demand. Furthermore, the last issue that I will discuss concerning the similarities between the immigration of the two countries is the issue of networks and how they use them to successfully migrate.
             First, in the Mexican case, there are social networks on both sides of the border that assist the migration to the United States. With the use of these social networks, immigrants assist their relatives, friends, and neighbors in their temporary and permanent immigration plans. Furthermore, with the use of these social networks Mexican immigrant share goods, income, and occupational information. These networks have made the migration process a remarkably efficient informal system and helps the Mexicans overcome obstacles aimed at hindering their migration. Networks wee also important to Central American immigrant.
             The United States has seen a large increase in the number of Central American immigrants since the 1960's. The increase was influenced by the new policies of the Immigration Act of 1965, which permitted the resettlement of numerous young working class and middle class Central American families.