MIGRATION

Introduction:

Net In-Migration: # of immigrants greater than # of emigrants

Net Out-Migration: # of emigrants greater than # of immigrants

Worldwide # of migrants has increased historically as travel has improved

Immigrants from LDCs form an increasingly large proportion of many MDCs population

Migration: Forced or Voluntary? Forced: no choice but to leave because of dire

political, economic, social, or environmental causes (ex: African slave trade, Trail of Tears)

A refugee is…. Any person who is outside any country of such person’s nationality . . who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is

unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country . . .

because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution . . .

on account of: race, religion, nationality, membership in a

particular social group, or political opinion.

Refugees….

Refugees forced out or leave b/c fear of persecution or death

▪ No home until another country allows entry▪ Often live in camps/tents▪ Largest international groups from Palestine and

Afghanistan▪ Largest internal groups from Sudan and Angola

(decades long civil wars)▪ Difficult to discern between refugees and poor

immigrants coming for econ reasons (ex: Cubans got special status and free pass; Haitians didn’t)

Refugees

World Refugee Survey estimates more than 13 million worldwide

Largest number in Middle East and North Africa (Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Somalia, etc. )

Options? 1.) voluntary repatriation, 2.) long-term in refugee camp, 3.) resettlement in other country

United States takes in largest number of refugees worldwide

Distance of Migration

International Migration: to new country

Internal Migration: stay in country (much more common. Can be inter-regional or intraregional

Step Migration: series of moves in same direction

Transhumance: seasonal migrationex: herders move livestock from summer to winter pasture – pastoral nomadism….other examples?

Wilbur Zelinsky’s Migration Transition

Says migrants come mostly from stage 2 of demographic transition model (periphery or Semi-Periphery)

Move to MDCs for new job, education, or tech opportunities

Most internal migration in Stage 3 and 4 countries is from city to suburbs

Most internal migration in Stage 2 countries is rural to urban

Ravenstein’s Characteristics of Migrants

Most people migrate for economic reasons Most move short distance (stay within

own country) Most plan to return home (Cuban

grandmother with a packed suitcase) Long distance migrants to other countries

head to major cities of econ activity Historically most long distance migrants

are male, and single from age 25-39

Where Do Migrants Go?

From LDCs to MDCs

Global Patterns…

▪ Asia, Latin America, Africa = net out-migration▪ North America, Europe, Oceania = net in-

migration ▪ U.S. = country with the most

What is an American?

The Easy Answer: A citizen of the United States

The Hard Question:What characteristics, values, beliefs, rights and/or obligations are essential to the identity of citizens of the United States?

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U. S. Immigration Patterns 3 historic eras….. Phase One: Initial Settlement – 1500s-late

1800s From NW Europe and Africa Scotland, Ireland, Germany, GB From Europe, Germany has provided largest #

of immigrants to U.S. Mexico recently passed Germany as greatest

supplier in history of immigrants to America

Historical Overview of U.S. Immigration Controls 1776-1875 Open Frontier = Open Border

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3 historic eras cont’d

Phase Two: Turn of 20th C – 1920ish From SE Europe Italy, Poland, Russia, Romania, Greece Come through Ellis Island

Phase Three: 1950-Today From LA and Asia Asia highest from late 1970s-late 1980s

(China, Philippines, Vietnam, India) Last 20 yrs LA = greatest supplier, and

Mexico greatest supplier from LA

Destination of Immigrants in US CA, NY, FL, TX: ½ of all immigrants go to

these 4 states LA more likely in CA and TX, Cubans more likely in

FL, …i.e. distance Immigration = fireball issue in these states

because big drain on state budgets (AZ minutemen)

Chain Migration: people go to a specific location because relatives or people from same area are there…creates enclaves like Little Italy, Chinatown, etc.

Obstacles Migrants Face

Historically, biggest obstacle was long, expensive journey

Today, biggest obstacles Getting permission to enter $$ to travel Hostile attitudes once you are there▪ Often met with suspicion, fear, hostility▪ More different you are perceived to be, more hostility

you face▪ Big anti-immigration protests in US, W Europe, Kuwait▪ How long does it take to fully assimilate???

Immigration Policies of Host Countries: quotas V. guest worker passes

Quotas: used in U.S. Historically used quotas to favor Europe Today has global quota of 620,000 with no

more than 7% from one country # of applicants far exceeds quotas so Congress

sets preferences for▪ Unify families (typical wait for spouse is 5 yrs)▪ Skilled workers/professionals (LDCs accuse U.S. of

brain drain, taking best and brightest)▪ Quotas do not apply to refugees – special status

Quota Preferences

Family

Diversity

Employment

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Quotas V. Guest worker passes Temporary Guest Worker Passes:

Used in W. Europe and Kuwait Take low status, low pay, low skill jobs (low pay

by MDC standards, but good $$ for workers from LDC

Decreases LDC unemployment rate Guest workers send $$ back to home country –

good for economy Most European guest workers from N. Africa,

Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia Problem – do not become citizens – U.S. unique

to have birth citizenship status

Internal Migration

3 internal patterns in US

1.) Late 19th/early 20th C = rural to urban▪ Motivation = jobs▪ Ex: Great Migration of African Americans from

rural areas of South to N. cities

Internal Migration – cont’d

2.) 1950-1970 = urban to suburban Motivation – lifestyle…yard, garage,

better schools, bigger houses, etc. Best of both worlds, close to amenities

and jobs of city but enjoy lifestyle of suburbs

Suburbs more homogenous (often divided racially, by socioeconomic status, etc.)

Internal Migration cont’d 3.) 1975-today = from NE to South and

Southwest White, middle class Americans leaving older NE

Rust Belt (OH, Michigan, Penn) for Sun Belt New South – FL, GA, NC, TN – has grown faster

than other regions recently. Offers more job opportunites, nice climate, affordable lifestyle. Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa, Nashville have all exploded in last 25 yrs

South West – LA, San Diego, Houston, Phoenix