Researchers, politicians, advocates, and many others have attempted to offer explanations for the root causes of Central American migration to the United States. Explanations of the driving forces of migration have included economic inequality, political instability, and violence, as well as the powerful social and cultural forces of transnational family connections, migrant networks, and even attitudes and values. The complex, changing social realities in which Central Americans live makes it difficult – perhaps impossible — to choose any single explanation. Furthermore, no matter which explanation gets favored, the political stakes are high for migrants themselves, who become the subject of debate.Â
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Drawing from evidence from texts and materials we have examined so far this semester, why is it problematic to assume a “one-size-fits-all†explanation of the driving forces behind Central American-U.S. migration? How do the diverse human experiences of migration we have learned about in this class challenge us to think beyond the kinds of singular explanations of migration that are so often pushed for political ends? What are the implications of being open to more “blurry†or “messy†explanations of Central American migration?
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