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Two Sources of Error in Data on Migration From Mexico to the United States in Mexican Household-Based Surveys

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  • Erin Hamilton
  • Robin Savinar

Abstract

We examine the nature and degree of two sources of error in data on migration from Mexico to the United States in Mexican household-based surveys: (1) sampling error that results when whole households migrate and no one is left behind to report their migration; and (2) reporting errors that result when migrants are not identified by survey respondents. Using data from the first two waves of the Mexican Family Life Survey, which tracked Mexican migrants to the United States from 2002 to 2005, we find that one-half of migrants from Mexico to the United States are not counted as a result of these two sources of error. Misreporting is the larger source of error, accounting for more than one-third of all migrants. Those who are not counted, especially whole-household migrants, are a unique group. Their omission results in an underestimate of female migrants, child migrants, and migrants from the Mexican border region, and an overestimate of migrants from the periphery region. Copyright Population Association of America 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Erin Hamilton & Robin Savinar, 2015. "Two Sources of Error in Data on Migration From Mexico to the United States in Mexican Household-Based Surveys," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(4), pages 1345-1355, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:demogr:v:52:y:2015:i:4:p:1345-1355
    DOI: 10.1007/s13524-015-0409-y
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    2. Erin R. Hamilton & Maryann Bylander, 2021. "The Migration of Children from Mexico to the USA in the Early 2000s," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 40(3), pages 337-361, June.
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    4. Fernando Riosmena, 2016. "The Potential and Limitations of Cross-Context Comparative Research on Migration," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 666(1), pages 28-45, July.
    5. Simone Bertoli & Frédéric Docquier & Hillel Rapoport & Ilse Ruyssen, 2022. "Weather shocks and migration intentions in Western Africa: insights from a multilevel analysis [Do climate variations explain bilateral migration? A gravity model analysis]," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 289-323.
    6. Erin R. Hamilton & Po‐Chun Huang, 2020. "Contextualizing Mexican Migrant Education Selectivity," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 46(3), pages 603-616, September.
    7. Bertoli, Simone & Murard, Elie, 2020. "Migration and co-residence choices: Evidence from Mexico," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    8. Fernando Riosmena & Raphael Nawrotzki & Lori Hunter, 2018. "Climate Migration at the Height and End of the Great Mexican Emigration Era," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 44(3), pages 455-488, September.
    9. Ana P. Canedo, 2023. "The Unintended Effects of Social Pensions on Migration: Evidence from Rural Mexico," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(1), pages 1-25, February.

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