Mexican immigrants living in the United States suffer from the worst working conditions of any immigrant group coming from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Among Latin American workers, Mexicans receive the lowest wages. In addition, the majority work without medical insurance from their employer or pension or retirement plans, according to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Statistical data reveal that, after African Americans, Mexicans have the highest unemployment rates, according to Maritza Caicedo Riascos of the Institute of Social Research at the UNAM.

According to the Current Population Survey (CPS), in 2008, there were 20 million Latin American and Caribbean immigrants, and of them, 11 million were Mexican.

To understand the work conditions that Mexicans endure, the human capital arriving in the United States must be considered, starting with the fact that they have the lowest level of education of any immigrant group from the region, Caicedo Riascos explained.

Three percent of the population did not attend school. Fifty-eight percent have a primary or secondary school education. Twenty-five percent finished high school, and the rest have some higher education. In comparison, almost 50 percent of Caribbean and South American immigrants completed high school or higher education.

In addition, around 60 percent of Mexicans do not speak English adequately or at all. Most are entry-level workers and only a handful of them undertake skilled labor.