AN EVALUATION OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION THEORY - THE NORTH-AMERICAN CASE

The article reviews empirical studies of international migration withi n the North American migratory system in order to evaluate the various theories that seek to explain the initiation and perpetuation of inte rnational movement. The review uncovers significant support for all th eories, suggesting that they constitute complementary rather than comp eting explanations of migration. One criticism is that far too much re search is focused on Mexico, whose unique relationship to the United S tates may make it unrepresentative of broader patterns and trends in m igration. After discussing salient gaps in the research record and out lining promising directions for future study, the article attempts to construct a comprehensive model for understanding immigration into Nor th America.