Change and continuity in Mexico's immigration policy: How civil society organizations influence the policy process

This dissertation focuses on state-civil society relations and immigration policy in Mexico, a country with a complex history of immigration, emigration, transit migration, and return migration. The Mexican case illustrates how immigration policy is formulated and implemented in a state transitioning to a more democratic form of government and in a civil society gaining more influence in the policy process. Mexico has recently undergone significant change, having held its first free multiparty elections in 2001 and having pledged in 1994 to accelerate democratic, economic, and social growth as a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).;Through document analysis and interviews of key government officials and civil society actors, this dissertation describes and explains the evolution of Mexico's immigration policies and policymaking. An important finding is that civil society organizations, while continuing to provide operational assistance to state agencies and local communities, are increasingly engaged in policy advocacy. Not only are a greater number of civil society organizations attempting to shape immigration policy, but these organizations are having greater influence in the dialogue leading to the formulation of legislative reforms and decrees. As Mexico reevaluates policy outcomes, redefines its priorities, and develops a comprehensive immigration policy, civil society organizations are having greater opportunities to influence policy. True, these opportunities face significant obstacles in Mexico's culture of political accommodation, disrespect for the law, and payoffs, cronyism, and corruption. But Mexican civil society is having a growing influence on immigration policy, and this influence is greater in Mexico than in Spain and Italy, two other countries with much immigration and emigration.