JALPAN DE SERRA, Querétaro - Although there are no exact statistics on how many "queretanos" work in the United States, in communities like Jalpan de Serra, the streets, markets and churches are crowded with people visiting for the holidays.

Workers abroad are largely responsible for the "dollarization" of the economy in the Sierra Gorda region. In many communities, the dollar is accepted currency in grocery stores, restaurants and even bars year round.

José Luis Luna Palacios, mayor of Arroyo Seco, said that during the months of November, December and January, many migrant workers return home, flooding the local economies with the dollars they bring with them.

Mayor of Landa de Matamoros J. Merced Ponce said that in his town alone the high numbers of young men who have migrated north of the border send back between US$50,000 and US$100,000 daily, or US$18.2 million every year.

Ponce said most of the community´s male population is in the United States, principally in the state of Texas.

The mayors in communities like Landa de Matamoros, San Joaquín, Arroyo Seco and Pinal de Amoles say the income provided by remittances outweighs the city budgets.

"In the mountain communities, the dollar circulates freely, it is the primary currency and holds up the economy. We do have other sources of income such as small businesses, livestock and agriculture, but it is smaller scale," he said.