International Transfers by Mexican Migrants in the United States

Gabriela Farfan, Duke University
Maria Genoni, Duke University
Luis Rubalcava, Spectron Desarrollo S.C. and Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE)
Graciela M. Teruel, Universidad Iberoamericana
Duncan Thomas, Duke University
Andrea Velasquez, Duke University

The incidence, magnitude and impact of cross-border remittances are investigated using new data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS), a population-representative longitudinal survey of Mexicans living in Mexico at baseline in 2002. Movers to the US after baseline are followed and interviewed in the U.S. along with the family members left behind providing information about transfers from the perspective of those on either side of the border. We first describe changes in transfers over time, comparing information collected from migrants about transfers sent with information from recipients in Mexico about transfers received. Second, we describe those characteristics of migrants and their extended families that predict cross-border transfers including resources, household composition, location of family in Mexico and the U.S., time in the U.S., and expectations about returning to Mexico. Third, we examine the impact of remittances on the well-being of family members in Mexico.