Immigration and Migration

Immigration

Immigration is the introduction of new people into a habitat or population. It is the act of moving into a new country (e.g., the Pilgrims immigrated to America). It is different from emigration and migration. Emigration is Leaving one country to move to another (e.g., the Pilgrims emigrated from England).

Migration

Migration (human) is the movement of people from one place in the world to another for the purpose of taking up permanent or semi-permanent residence, usually across a political boundary. An example of "semi-permanent residence" would be the seasonal movements of migrant farm laborers. People can either choose to move ("voluntary migration") or be forced to move ("involuntary migration").

People who Migrate

A migrant is on the move and is temporary, while an immigrant is coming to stay.

Refugee: A person who is residing outside the country of his or her origin due to fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Why Do People Migrate?

People move for a variety of reasons. They consider the advantages and disadvantages of staying versus moving, as well as factors such as distance, travel costs, travel time, modes of transportation, terrain, and cultural barriers. Push Factors: Reasons for emigrating (leaving a place) because of a difficulty (such as a food shortage, war, flood, etc.). Pull Factors: Reasons for immigrating (moving into a place) because of something desirable (such as a nicer climate, better food supply, freedom, etc.). Several types of push and pull factors may influence people in their movements (sometimes at the same time), including:
Environmental (e.g., climate, natural disasters) Political (e.g., war) Economic (e.g., work)

Cultural (e.g., religious freedom, education)

US Immigration

The foreign-born population in the United States tripled in the past four decades and currently totals about 37 million, or nearly 12 percent of the total population.

By 2010, the foreign-born population is expected to increase to 43 million, or 13.5 percent of the total population.
Proportionately, the United States is less a nation of immigrants now than a century ago, when nearly 15 percent of the population was foreignborn.

Fewer immigrants are from Europe; more are from *Latin America and Asia
TOP-TEN IMMIGRANT-SENDING COUNTRIES TO THE UNITED STATES
2004 1. Mexico 2. India 3. Philippines 4. China 5. Vietnam 6. Dominican-Republic 7. El Salvador 8. Cuba 9. Korea 10. Colombia 1960 1. Mexico 2. Germany 3. Canada 4. United Kingdom 5. Italy 6. Cuba 7. Poland 8. Ireland 9. Hungary 10. Portugal

*Latin America is that part of the Western Hemisphere south of the U.S., in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, & South America, where Spanish, Portuguese, & French are the official languages.

US Migration

The United States is the home to the largest number of international migrants in the world. According to the US Census Bureau (2006 American Community Survey), there are 37,547,789 foreignborn persons legally residing in the US making up 12.5% of the nations population.

53% of the foreign-born in the United States are from Latin America 25% from Asia 14% from Europe 8% from other regions in the world

Basic Facts about Migrant Workers in the United States

Migrant farm workers and their families live and work in every state in the country. Many of these workers are United States citizens or permanent residents in this country. They are primarily of Mexican origin, but others come from Jamaica, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and other counties. Between one and three million migrant farm workers leave their homes each year to plant, cultivate, harvest and pack fruits, vegetables and nuts. Other migrant farm workers are employed in the fishing, meat packing and dairy industries.

More facts

77% of all farm workers were born in Mexico. 81% of all farm workers are foreign-born. The average farm worker is only 31 years old since it is difficult for older workers to perform such physically demanding labor. 80% of farm workers are men who often must leave their families behind while they seek work. Five out of six farm workers are native Spanish speakers. 12% of all farm workers earn less than minimum wage.

More facts

Half of all farm workers earn less than $7,500 per year and half of all farm worker families learn less than $11,000 per year, far below the 2002 US poverty level of $18,100 for a family of four. Much farm work is seasonal and workers cannot earn money in bad weather, while waiting for crops to ripen, when they are sick, or when traveling to their next job. There is only 50.7% high school graduation rate among migrant teenagers. Frequent moves and the need to have them contribute to family income make attendance difficult. At least one-third of migrant children work on farms to help their families; others may not be hired directly, but are in the fields helping their parents.

Migrant Farm Workers

The work ethic exhibited by farm workers is extraordinary. They often toil 12 to 14 hours a day, 7 days a week during the harvest season. Farm work is both strenuous and dangerous. High heat and humidity are frequently part of the work environment. Stoop labor and heavy containers are also common components of the tasks performed.