Between depoliticisation and path dependence: The role of Mexico in Regional Migration Governance in North America

Abstract

This chapter analyses the role of Mexico within regional migration governance in North America. By exploring regional cooperation from the perspective of Mexico’s elite decision-makers on migration, the chapter argues that Mexico has moved from a ‘policy of no policy’ approach to a policy characterised by both depoliticisation and path dependence. The ‘policy of depoliticised policy’ acts through technocratic bilateral migration cooperation in order to deal with emigration and return migration. On the other hand, I identify a path dependence approach to deal with immigration and transit dynamics, which repeats previous policies furthering the United States’ (US) security interests through the securitisation of border control. Both serve as a dual strategy attempting to deal with the uncertain scenario triggered by the migration policy in the US, characterised by increasing restrictions and an even more securitised approach to migration. As a result, Mexico’s strategy ultimately reinforces the status quo of weak regionalism that characterises North America.