Search Results

Hispanics are the most rapidly growing ethnic group in the United States. Past research has shown socioeconomic differences between Hispanics from different national origins and suggests that various aspects of Hispanic migration within the U.S. might differ depending on that national origin. Utilizing the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) permits the first descriptive comparison of rates of primary and repeat migration of Mexican heritage Hispanics with other Hispanic groups. Analysis of repeat migration focuses on comparisons of return and onward migration. The comparisons of Mexican Hispanics with other Hispanics reveal little differences between these national origin groupings in rates of primary, return and onward migration. Rates of primary migration for Mexicans and other Hispanics are low and vary little from the overall rates of 3.6 percent to 4.3 percent across thirty subgroups identified by sociodemographic characteristics. Although the rates of return and onward migration are higher than primary migration rates, differences between Mexican and other Hispanic groups are not very large. Reporting the lack of differences is important since prior research suggested major differences were likely. What appear to be different between Mexican heritage and other Hispanic heritage groups are the geographic origins from which each group emigrates and to which each group immigrates. Because migration de stinati on is closely associated with location of jobs but also with the location of co-nationals, future research should include multivariate analysis and incorporate theoretical perspectives that help understand this migration of Hispanic groups in the U.S..