The migration of Mexicans to the United States and the effect of the current economic crisis experienced by both countries on immigrants have been topics of discussion during the 23rd Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). Specifically, this was the topic of a press conference given by the Asociación Civil Iniciativa Ciudadana para la Promoción de la Cultura del Diálogo, A.C., where the presentation of the book Una vida en dos culturas: la construcción de alianzas por los migrantes mexicanos en Estados Unidos y México (A Life in Two Cultures: Building Alliances for Mexican Immigrants in the United States and Mexico) was announced. The book is a compilation of conclusions and presentations from a work group session entitled, “The economic crisis in the United States and Mexico: Implications for immigrants,” which took place in Mexico City on February 23 and 24, 2009.

Participants at the press conference included the Mexican ambassador Carlos García de Alba Zepeda, Mexican politician Cuauhtemoc Cárdenas Solórzano, and the executive director of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad Cándido Morales Rosas.

Morales Rosas said that there are 7 million people of Mexican origin currently living in the United States who contribute to the American economy and the Mexican economy as well by sending remittances. He added that the current economic crisis in both countries has resulted in an unemployment rate of about 16% for the Latino community

In response to questions about the topic of immigration reform in the United States, Carlos García de Alba observed that the prevailing attitude is a positive one and there is willingness for dialogue on the part of the administration of President Barak Obama, even through the US Congress is the body which makes decisions about such matters.

With respect to the reduction in remittances from the Mexicans living in the US, Cárdenas said that this was due to the current economic crisis in the US. Consequently, immigrants must search for new alternatives and make adjustments, which may entail measures such as changing jobs or place of residence. In any event, he expects that remittances will eventually return to their previous levels. In response to questions, he said that while remittances are important, Mexico does not depend on them. He concluded by saying that Mexico needs to take decisive strides towards remedying its own domestic problems, as not all needed reforms have yet been carried out.

For his part, García De Alba said that it must be made clear that remittances are private funds sent to private parties to help them with their living expenses, and that this situation bears no comparison to foreign currency earned from oil, a source of national wealth. He pointed out that Mexico is the world's third largest recipient of remittances, after India and China, but this revenue only accounts for 2.1% of Mexico's gross domestic product.

Finally, the executive director of the Institute for Mexicans abroad attributed the decrease in “circular migration" (when people go to the US and return to Mexico on a regular basis) to a stepping up of immigration laws and enforcement on the US side. In addition, many Mexicans who have taken their entire families to the US no longer feel such a strong need to return to Mexico.