Someone @Fender told me that the MIM neck and bodies are made in the States, then take a short trip over the border for painting and assembly. I own 1 MIA Strat, 1 MIA Tele, 1 MIM, Strat, 1 MIM Tele. I change pups and do other mods on all. Slight preference for MIA neck. The similarities far outweigh differences. One of the factors that I took into consideration when I bought my two MIMs were that I was going to swap pretty much everything but the body and neck. after converting one into a Esquire and the other I swapped the tuners bridge Pickups and a few other things more for looks I still came out cheaper the if I had gone MIA. I just couldn't justify spending that much if I was going to swap parts anyway. And I must I've been pleased with how both turned out. So to me it doesn't matter if it's a Squier, MIM, MIA, or any other at the end of the day as long as you are the one who gets enjoyment out of playing it then nothing else should matter.