Place of Origin, Types of Ties, and Support Networks in Mexico–U.S. Migration*

Abstract

Previous studies explored how urban or rural place of origin influences the source of social capital. There remains a need to consider how the place of origin affects the type of ties—family, friends, or paisanos (countrymen)—with those who provide support to migrants. We use data from the Mexican Migration Project (MMP128) and perform multinomial logistic regression models to predict who (among family, friends, or paisanos) provides lodging to first‐time undocumented male migrants from Mexico, taking into account the size of their place of origin. We find that paisanos are important in providing lodging to those from rural areas, and family members are more likely to assist those from urban settings. Paisanos are more likely to help at the beginning of the migratory flow of the community (rural or urban), and family members to do so once the flow has matured. Also, paisanos are more likely to help those in rural areas during more difficult times, such as after the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement. We suggest that paisanos fulfill a role similar to that in Granovetter's (1973) concept of the strength of weak ties in which they act as substitutes for other ties (such as to friends and family) to provide social capital, making the first‐time undocumented migration possible.

More social than capital: Social capital accumulation through social network exchange among legal and unauthorized Mexican migrants

“…For international migrants, social network theory suggests that kin and friendship ties reduce migration's social and financial costs (Massey et al, 1993(Massey et al, , 1994, and these networks facilitate Mexican migrants' concentration in specific locations in the USA (Flores-Yeffal & Aysa-Lastra, 2011;McConnell, 2008). These migrant networks can shape social capital accumulation because newly arriving migrants have a greater tendency to interact with other Mexicans for social support.…”

Complexity and Geographical Economics

“…Since the early 1980s, this project has carried out household surveys in Mexican villages (Massey et al 1987). 8 From the beginning this project has studied the effect of networks on migration decisions (Taylor 1986;Massey 1990;Massey and Espinosa 1997;Zahniser 1999;Phillips and Massey 2000;Deléchat 2001;Palloni et al 2001;Durand and Massey 2004;Fussell and Massey 2004;Fussell 2004;Orrenius and Zavodny 2005;Bauer et al 2007;Dolfin and Genicot 2010;Flores-Yeffal and Aysa-Lastra 2011;Massey et al 2011;Flores-Yeffal 2013). This work consistently finds that network effects are a statistically and economically significant factor in both the decision to migrate and the selection of a migration location.…”

Migration and Social Capital

“…Migration social capital is usually more available to first-time migrants than to returning migrants, given the auspices associated with making a first trip (Massey and Espinosa, 1997;Flores-Yeffal and Aysa-Lastra, 2011). Most first-time migrants need some sort of information and assistance regardless of their legal status at the place of destination.…”

“…The information and resources provided help to increase the likelihood of migration by nonmigrants as migration social capital helps to reduce the cost and risks associated with international movement (Massey and Espinosa, 1997). In addition, rural or urban places of origin may also dictate how much migration social capital may be available in different settings and how it functions (Fussell and Massey, 2004;Hernandez-León, 2008;Flores-Yeffal and Aysa-Lastra, 2011;Flores-Yeffal, 2013). In addition, the distance between the place of origin and the place of destination also can make a difference with regards of how migration social capital operates (Massey et al, 2011).…”