This report analyzes the magnitude and trend of migration flows between Mexico and the
United States; the experiences and intentions of Mexican immigrants repatriated by U.S.
immigration authorities; U.S. immigration enforcement patterns; conditions in Mexico and the
U.S. that could affect immigration; and characteristics of Mexican-born immigrants in the U.S.
The report draws on numerous data sources from both Mexico and the U.S. The principal
Mexican data sources are the Mexican decennial censuses (Censos de Población y Vivienda) of
1990, 2000 and 2010; the Mexican Population Count (II Conteo de Población y Vivienda) of
2005; the Survey of Migration in the Northern Border of Mexico (la Encuesta sobre Migracíon
en la Frontera Norte de México or EMIF-Norte); the Survey of Demographic Dynamics of
2006 and 2009 (Encuesta Nacional de Dinámica Demográfica or ENADID); and the Survey of
Occupation and Employment for 2005-2011 (Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo or
ENOE). The principal U.S. data sources are the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey
(CPS) monthly data for 1994 to 2012; the CPS Annual Social and Economic Supplement
conducted in March for 1994 to 2011; the American Community Survey (ACS) for 2005-2010;
U.S. Censuses from 1850 to 2000; U.S. Border Patrol data on apprehensions at the U.S.-
Mexico border; and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration
Statistics on legal admissions to the U.S. and aliens removed or returned. The report also uses
data from the World Bank and the United Nations Population Division.
This report was written by Senior Demographer Jeffrey Passel, Senior Writer D’Vera Cohn and
Research Associate Ana Gonzalez-Barrera. Paul Taylor provided editorial guidance in the
drafting of this report. Rakesh Kochhar and Mark Hugo Lopez provided comments on earlier
drafts of the report. Seth Motel and Gabriel Velasco provided research assistance. Gabriel
Velasco and Eileen Patten number-checked the report. Marcia Kramer copy edited the report
text and Appendix A. Molly Rohal copy edited the report’s methodology appendix