The Social Impacts of the Maquiladora Industry on Mexican Border Towns

Abstract

Since 1965 the region bordering the United States and Mexico has experienced both population and economic growth. This growth and development has been attributed to the economic pol­ icy agreements between the two nations. Three programs stand out as particularly important in this process: The Bracero Pro­ gram, The Programa Nacional Fronterizo, and The Border Indus­ trialization Program. While academicians and politicians have discussed the economic consequences of these programs, they have neglected to examine the social impacts on the border populations.