The Effects of Mexican Migration on Coresidence

Kate H. Choi, University of California, Los Angeles

Using data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study, this paper determines whether Mexican migrants to the U.S. whose migration trip was financed by their parents and/or families are more likely to co-reside with their older parents once they return to Mexico. Migrants who do not receive any financial support from their family are substantially less likely to co-reside with their parents compared to those who receive some financial help from their families. Migrants whose migration is financed by their siblings are substantially more likely than other migrants to co-reside with their parents once they return to Mexico. These findings suggest that providing financial transfers is a way of ensuring care for their elderly parents.