The savings and investments that Mexican immigrants make in their country of origin through money transfers are something that provides reassurance in the face of a possible recession in the United States.

Although the situation for thousands of people in the United States is difficult due to their economic circumstances, for some Mexican immigrants, their medium- and long-term future is assured because of the investments their have made in their home country.

“I don’t have my money here. I invested it in my land. I have my home and my animals,” said Silvio Arango, who is originally from Hidalgo, Mexico, but invested in an area north of Veracruz.

Arango says that he has invested his money, earned through his work in a flower shop in Manhattan, in land and in his house in Mexico. “I never thought that there could be a recession like what they are talking about so much, but I’m not worried. I have my house, my land, and my animals. My family also works in flowers. We have greenhouses, and that’s why I don’t feel affected by it. I live just with the minimum here.”

On the other hand, Julian Tolentino, also from Mexico, said that although he does not have much money, the situation does concern him. “They say the economy is going to get difficult. At least I finished my house in my town, and I have some savings,” he said.

Tolentino, originally from Tlaxcala, Mexico, says that although New York is an expensive city, he has been able to save on some costs because he works in a restaurant. “I don’t spend any money on food, and I spend all day at work. That helps, and what I earn I send home.”

This young immigrant, 32, says that if the country falls into a recession, he hopes it will be temporary. “President Bush asked for funds a few days ago to keep the economy from going under. I hope this will pass. Up until now I haven’t seen this country in bad shape,” he added.