Sociedad y Cultura

This article describes contemporary return migration from the U.S. to rural communities in Campeche and Tabasco. Findings indicate that migrants went back due to the same reasons that have historically characterized Mexican return flows: family ties. Yet, the decision to return, or not, has been increasingly shaped by (increasingly) restrictive immigration politics, and the (recent) economic downturn in the United States, among other things. Under this bleak outlook the resurgence of traditional return migration patterns that characterized Mexican migrants in the past appears unlikely; in fact, such trends may have changed for good.

Enamel hypoplasias, deficiencies in enamel thickness resulting from disturbances during the secretory phase of enamel development, are generally believed to result from nonspecific metabolic and nutritional disruptions. However, data are scarce on the prevalence and chronological distribution of hypoplasias in populations experiencing mild to moderate malnutrition. The purpose of this article is to present baseline data on the prevalences and chronological distributions of enamel hypoplasias, by sex and for all deciduous and permanent anterior teeth, in 300 5 to 15-year-old rural Mexican children.

En este artículo se examina la movilidad prolongada de una población mexicana de ascendencia guatemalteca. A tal efecto, se obtuvieron datos a través de métodos etnográficos, principalmente vía testimonios de trayectorias de vida. La perspectiva amplia permite encuadrar la movilidad individual en marcos de análisis más extensos, entre ellos el grupo familiar. La movilidad está influida por ese contexto familiar y por otros factores, como circunstancias coyunturales específicas o el momento en el ciclo de vida del migrante. Migraciones interrumpidas, circulares y de retorno dificultan la comprensión de esas trayectorias porque generalmente son parte de procesos, como flujos mixtos y migraciones continuadas. Palabras clave: migración, flujos mixtos, migraciones continuadas, migración de retorno. Abstract: This article scrutinizes the way a Mexican-Guatemalan population has experienced multiple moves over several decades. Longitudinal data was gathered through ethnographic methods to elicit lifelong trajectories. The protracted approach makes possible to understand individual mobilities within wider frameworks of analysis, for instance the family group. Because family, particular circumstances, or the life stage of the migrant, affect decisions regarding mobility, in-depth comprehension of personal trajectories gets complicated. At the crux of this complex issue is that interrupted, circular and return migrations, among many types of mobility, become embedded in processes such as contemporary mixed flows and onward-migration.

This report analyzes the consequences of a policy program meant to reinforce border security and mitigate migrant vulnerability. Initiated in mid-2014, thus far (2017) the program has largerly favored the security component over other concerns. PFS represents an unsound, disjointed state policy that has followed an inertia of its own, part of a prevailing philosophy that has guided much of public policy for Mexico’s southern border, characterized by agendas that seldom come to whole fruition.

La política pública de los gobiernos mexicanos en relación a la frontera sur del país se ha caracterizado por su inconsistencia como política de estado y su falta de una visión integral. Varios planes y programas han sido implementados de forma desarticulada, sin perdurabilidad y perspectiva de largo aliento. Dichas iniciativas han dado prioridad al tema de la seguridad por encima de otras consideraciones. El Programa Frontera Sur (PFS) es el ejemplo más reciente de este tipo de política pública. El texto presenta un análisis básico del Programa durante sus primeros años de vida, a través de un modelo de brechas. Se argumenta que el PFS alcanzó un “éxito conflictuado” al no cumplir con todos los objetivos postulados, Además, ha resultado ser una política pública comprometida en dos sentidos: porque ha sido errada e ineficaz y porque ha respondido a designios ajenos a México.