Migration Studies Commons^™

A Profile Of Highly Skilled Mexican Immigrants In Texas And Its Largest Metropolitan Areas, Ariel Ruiz Soto, Andrew Selee

Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center Research

Much of the U.S. debate on Mexican immigration has focused on low-skilled immigrants, who have composed the largest share of that population, but recent data suggest that the share of college-educated immigrants among recent Mexican arrivals is rising considerably. Texas has long been a gateway for Mexican immigration in part because of proximity and its deep economic ties to Mexico.

As more Mexican immigrants settle in Texas, especially in its metropolitan areas, governments and local communities stand to gain valuable contributions of an increasingly educated work force. Knowing the profile of highly skilled Mexican immigrants can inform policy-making decisions and …