IAOS-ISI 2024, Mexico City

IAOS-ISI 2024, Mexico City

Mapping Migration Trends: Leveraging Data Science and Web-Scraped News for Comprehensive Analysis of Transitory Populations

Conference

IAOS-ISI 2024, Mexico City

Format: CPS Abstract

Keywords: alternative-data, migration, news, spatio-temporal, web scraping

Abstract

The research presented in this paper tackles the intricate challenge of tracking the movement of foreign populations transiting through Mexico on their way to the United States. This task is particularly complex due to the largely undocumented status of these migrants, who often change their routes and strategies. The study's main objective is to integrate and analyze data from official sources in a temporal and spatial context to effectively map the mobility patterns of these migrants.
In this research wo look for the creation of a novel methodology aimed at estimating the yearly influx of migrants traversing the country. This method leverages advanced data science techniques, not just for mapping out potential migration routes, but also for depicting the territorial and seasonal variances in these movements. Such analysis is crucial for understanding the dynamics of migration and for planning and policy-making purposes.
A key aspect of this study is its use of web-scraped news sources as a means to quantify the intensity of migrant-related discourse across different regions. The study introduces a specialized algorithm designed to identify specific named locations within news content. This algorithm is critical in enhancing the precision of migration pattern analysis, offering a more detailed and nuanced understanding of how and where migrant flows are concentrated.
Moreover, the paper delves into the relationship between alternative data sources, such as online news, and traditional data, particularly in terms of the intensity and spatial distribution of migration patterns. This investigation evaluates the reliability and effectiveness of these sources in capturing the ongoing changes in migration trends. By doing so, the study looks for deeper insights into particular migrant flows.
The findings from this research are not only pivotal for comprehending migration patterns more thoroughly but also for offering a methodological framework that can be applied in other global contexts. The framework has the potential to assist policymakers, researchers, and humanitarian organizations in making informed decisions and strategies related to migration management and support.

Figures/Tables

Migration