Barbed wire Quote by Felipe Fernández-Armesto
““When the United States wants cheap labor, Mexicans respond. When the employment market north of the border is glutted, the barbed wire gets taut, the border patrols fix bayonets, the vigilantes get busy, and the walls go up.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on US-Mexico labor dynamics, 2010
Economic pressures drive migration and border enforcement cycles, linking labor demand with immigration policy.
In simple terms: Labor demand and border policies are linked.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how economics shape migration.
Themes
migration
economics
policy
border
labor
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- job seekers
- employers
- policy makers
- activists
- border communities
Key Concepts
Supply and demand
national security
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How do economic cycles affect migration patterns?
- What policies could balance labor needs and humane treatment?
A Different Perspective
Oversimplifies complex causes and ignores migrant agency.
