Normally when we think about immigration or migration being a problem, here in the US, we tend to automatically assume it has to do with us dealing with that issue. However, migration is an issue all over the world and in the article “Migrants’ New Paths Reshaping Latin America” shows us that the problem is a widespread issue especially in our neighboring country. Because of the decline in the US economy, increased border protection, and the uprising dangers of the Mexican Drug Cartel, more and more people are beginning to move to other cities and countries throughout South America instead of the US. This article focuses on one city in particular in Mexico, Santa Maria Atzompa. Many of the locals are extremely up set about the thousands of new comers, even migrants from other Mexican cities, and the over population it is causing. Migrants are coming to Santa Maria Atzompa for new education and work opportunities. The population rose from a little over 5,000 people to more than 27,000 since 2006. Urbanization used to be one of the city’s main goals but now they are struggling to keep up with the population growth. Citizens originally from the small city are outraged by the changes the new comers brought with them such as workers pay decrease, strip clubs, paying taxes but receiving fewer services, and overcrowded schools. The government is now starting to rethink their laws and redesign the system according to the population increase.
This has become a huge social issue for this tiny city in Mexico and is affecting everyone in the city including the government. The locals who have always lived there are outraged and the government is going as far as changing their laws. The fact that there are more people coming into the city could mean great things in terms of pointing out the pros. This could mean economic growth, more money for the city to make improvements, more benefits for the people by establishing services that are convenient to the public and possibly even more education by establishing more schools and universities. However, the cons are just as great the pros. Over populating a small city may mean building on it to become a big city, but doing so could do the city more harm than good. Goods and services within the city could have a huge increase in price making everything more expensive, lower pay wages to workers and decreases in workers benefits, territorial issues in terms of expanding the city, pollution issues, a hike in crime and also the spreading of new sicknesses and diseases. However, as time changes so does migration patterns. Depending on how the city handles the issue will determine the city’s future and whether or not people will begin to migrate away just as fast as they came in.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/world/americas/migrants-new-paths-reshaping-latin-america.html?pagewanted=3&ref=illegalimmigrants
1 comment:
Remember that if people are migrating to a local because they are fleeing violence, as has recently been the case in Mexico, they are unlikely to leave unless they can find another safe place to go.
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