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Measuring Geographic Migration Patterns Using Matrículas Consulares

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Esther Caballero

    (Heinz College)

  • Brian C. Cadena

    (University of Colorado
    Institute of Labor Economics (IZA))

  • Brian K. Kovak

    (Heinz College
    Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
    National Bureau of Economic Research)

Abstract

In this article, we show how to use administrative data from the Matrícula Consular de Alta Seguridad (MCAS) identification card program to measure the joint distribution of sending and receiving locations for migrants from Mexico to the United States. Whereas other data sources cover only a small fraction of source or destination locations or include only very coarse geographic information, the MCAS data provide complete geographic coverage of both countries, detailed information on migrants’ sources and destinations, and a very large sample size. We first confirm the quality and representativeness of the MCAS data by comparing them with well-known household surveys in Mexico and the United States, finding strong agreement on the migrant location distributions available across data sets. We then document substantial differences in the mix of destinations for migrants from different places within the same source state, demonstrating the importance of detailed substate geographical information. We conclude with an example of how these detailed data can be used to study the effects of destination-specific conditions on migration patterns. We find that an Arizona law reducing employment opportunities for unauthorized migrants decreased emigration from and increased return migration to Mexican source regions with strong initial ties to Arizona.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Esther Caballero & Brian C. Cadena & Brian K. Kovak, 2018. "Measuring Geographic Migration Patterns Using Matrículas Consulares," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 55(3), pages 1119-1145, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:demogr:v:55:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s13524-018-0675-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s13524-018-0675-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Caballero, María Esther & Cadena, Brian C. & Kovak, Brian K., 2023. "The international transmission of local economic shocks through migrant networks," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    2. Joan Monras, 2020. "Immigration and Wage Dynamics: Evidence from the Mexican Peso Crisis," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 128(8), pages 3017-3089.
    3. Tian, Yuan & Caballero, Maria Esther & Kovak, Brian K., 2022. "Social learning along international migrant networks," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 103-121.
    4. Juan Manuel Pedroza, 2022. "Housing Instability in an Era of Mass Deportations," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(6), pages 2645-2681, December.
    5. Sofía Fernández Guerrico, 2023. "Trade Shocks, Population Growth, and Migration," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/357236, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    6. Bucheli, José R. & Fontenla, Matías & Waddell, Benjamin James, 2019. "Return migration and violence," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 113-124.
    7. Daniele, Gianmarco & Le Moglie, Marco & Masera, Federico, 2023. "Pains, guns and moves: The effect of the U.S. opioid epidemic on Mexican migration," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    8. Christian Ambrosius, 2025. "Violent Crime and the Long Shadow of Immigration Enforcement," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 69(1), pages 74-99, January.
    9. Contreras, Ivette, 2023. "Following your lead: Migration networks and immigrants' education decisions," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    10. Kovak, Brian K. & Lessem, Rebecca, 2020. "How do U.S. visa policies affect unauthorized immigration?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 92-108.
    11. Campos-Vazquez, Raymundo M. & Esquivel, Gerardo & Ghosh, Priyasmita & Medina-Cortina, Eduardo, 2023. "Long-lasting effects of a depressed labor market: Evidence from Mexico after the great recession," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    12. Arteaga, Julian & Shenoy, Ashish, 2022. "Mexican migration flows and agricultural labor markets in the U.S," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322311, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    13. repec:ags:aaea22:335611 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Zhang, Penglong, 2020. "Home-biased gravity: The role of migrant tastes in international trade," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).

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