Toward a Structural Analysis of Illegal (Undocumented) Immigration

Abstract

In his introduction to this issue of IMR which attempts to understand more fully different aspects of undocumented immigration, the guest editor situates the articles in the present context of research and policy, and complements them by summarizing some of the ideas common to all and by analyzing, on their basis, the significance of the current Administration's plan to deal with the illegal flow.

The Labor Process and Corporate Agriculture: Mexican Workers in California

“…However, the seasonal nature of employment in California agriculture appears to be rather persistent. There was actually a 7.9 per cent increase in the employment of temporary farm workers from 1969 to 1974 which is about the same as the increase in harvested crop land between the two years (U.S. Census of Agriculture [hereinafter: U.S. Census], 1969;1974). This fact emphasizes the continued importance of seasonal workers in California agriculture.…”

“…However, the usefulness of such forms of control is limited in crop production because of the seasonal nature of such production. Year, California;1964, 1974 TECHNICAL, BUREAUCRATIC, AND SIhAPLE…”

“…That is, the costs of farm inputs rise at a faster rate than the prices growers receive for their commodities. The cost of selected farm inputs2 rose more than twice as much as the value of fruits and vegetables rose between 1950 and 1974 (U.S. Census, 1950;1974). This reflects an ongoing struggle between elements of capital engaged in food production, although in some cases indirectly (i.e., farm input industries and food processors and distributors), over the value created at the level of crop production.…”

QuestioningIllegality inEverydayLife

“…The illegality comes to be seen as an intrinsic quality of the migrant's 'foreign body', even when perfectly legal, in their practice of everyday life, becoming naturalised in their bodies 'as if' it were natural, almost an 'intrinsic quality' of the body, a disease transmitted by 24 Vasta (2010). 25 De Genova (2004); see Portes (1978); Coutin (1996Coutin ( , 2000a; Joppke (1999). 26 De Genova (2002); see Vasta (2010 mere contact.…”

He Came, He Saw, He Stayed. Guest Worker Programmes and the Issue of Non‐Return

“…Several authors (Calavita, 1992: 32-33;Zatz, 1993: 860;Portes, 1978) have pointed out that illegal migration was, in fact, encouraged by the INS enforcement policies. Even though each worker was issued a card indicating his contract number, an employer's name, and the names of counties in which it was valid (Galarza, 1964: 83), it was possible for a bracero worker who had deserted his farm to find illegal employment elsewhere.…”