Anthropology of Anthropology of MigrationMigration

Anthropology of MigrationAnthropology of Migration

1.1. Migration StudiesMigration Studies

2.2. Categories of MigrationCategories of Migration

3.3. International Migration TrendsInternational Migration Trends

4.4. Why do people move?Why do people move?

5.5. New ImmigrantsNew Immigrants

6.6. Post 1960’s Immigration to the Post 1960’s Immigration to the USUS

7.7. Migration PoliticsMigration Politics

Migration StudiesMigration Studies(subfield of cultural anthropology)(subfield of cultural anthropology)

Multi-sited fieldworkMulti-sited fieldwork = conduct research = conduct research in more than one location (ex. in Nigeria, in more than one location (ex. in Nigeria, then in the US with NI immigrants)then in the US with NI immigrants)

Macro and Micro perspectivesMacro and Micro perspectives = focus on = focus on a small town or village AND a small town or village AND national/global economic and political national/global economic and political perspectiveperspective

Applied anthropologyApplied anthropology = policy, programs, = policy, programs, aid, improving peoples’ lives, etc.aid, improving peoples’ lives, etc.

Categories of MigrationCategories of Migration InternalInternal = movement within national = movement within national

boundaries (ex. Rural to urban boundaries (ex. Rural to urban migration)migration)

InternationalInternational = movement between = movement between national boundaries (ex. 100 million national boundaries (ex. 100 million people live outside their home country people live outside their home country today, 2% of world’s population)today, 2% of world’s population)

TransnationalTransnational = movement = movement back and back and forthforth between national boundaries (ex. between national boundaries (ex. Mexican immigrants in CA)Mexican immigrants in CA)

International Migration International Migration TrendsTrends

Has grown throughout the world since 1945 Has grown throughout the world since 1945 (end of WWII) and again since the mid-1980s.(end of WWII) and again since the mid-1980s.

35 million people from 35 million people from developingdeveloping countries countries migrated to migrated to developeddeveloped nations in past 30 nations in past 30 years.years.

US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina = most popular countries for early Argentina = most popular countries for early international immigrationinternational immigration

Early 20Early 20thth c. immigration policy is labeled c. immigration policy is labeled “white immigration” because they explicitly “white immigration” because they explicitly limited non-white immigration.limited non-white immigration.

International Migration International Migration (cont.)(cont.)

1960s1960s = Canada focused on skills & experience = Canada focused on skills & experience 19731973 = “White Australia” policy ended = “White Australia” policy ended 1980s and 1990s1980s and 1990s = US, CA, and Australia experienced = US, CA, and Australia experienced

large-scale immigration from Asia, Latin America, and large-scale immigration from Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbeanthe Caribbean

TodayToday = immigrants = immigrants toto EU increasing, esp. from Asia EU increasing, esp. from Asia Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia Turkey is receiving immigrants (from Bulgaria, Turkey is receiving immigrants (from Bulgaria,

Kurdish and Iranian refugees) and Turks migrate out Kurdish and Iranian refugees) and Turks migrate out (to Germany)(to Germany)

Millions of Palestinian refugees moved to Jordan Millions of Palestinian refugees moved to Jordan and Lebanon.and Lebanon.

Jewish Immigrants from EU, N. Africa, US, & Russia Jewish Immigrants from EU, N. Africa, US, & Russia moved to Israel.moved to Israel.

WHY DO PEOPLE MOVE?WHY DO PEOPLE MOVE?

1.1. Wage Labor MigrationWage Labor Migration = for work, for = for work, for specific period of time (35 million specific period of time (35 million today)today)

Asian womenAsian women = fastest-growing = fastest-growing group: domestic servants, nurses, group: domestic servants, nurses, teacher (Not allowed to marry or teacher (Not allowed to marry or have a child in their work country!)have a child in their work country!)

From:From: Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Lanka, Thailand, To:To: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, MalaysiaSingapore, Malaysia

WHY DO PEOPLE MOVE?WHY DO PEOPLE MOVE?2.2. DisplacementDisplacement = people are evicted from = people are evicted from

their homes, communities, or countries and their homes, communities, or countries and forced to move elsewhereforced to move elsewhere

RefugeesRefugees = victims of persecution on basis of = victims of persecution on basis of race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, political views (More than 10 million people: in political views (More than 10 million people: in 2000, 1/500 people were refugees!)2000, 1/500 people were refugees!)

Internally displaced persons (IDPs)Internally displaced persons (IDPs) = fastest = fastest growing, forced to leave their home but remain growing, forced to leave their home but remain in their country (about 20 million people) AF has in their country (about 20 million people) AF has highest #, Sudan about 4.5 millionhighest #, Sudan about 4.5 million

IDP problemIDP problem = not international, so no UN aid. = not international, so no UN aid. Dr. Francis Deng is helping as UN rep, miserable Dr. Francis Deng is helping as UN rep, miserable conditions with no health care or schools, conditions with no health care or schools, victims of development projects!victims of development projects!

WHY DO PEOPLE MOVE?WHY DO PEOPLE MOVE?

3.3. Institutional MigrantsInstitutional Migrants = voluntary = voluntary or involuntary movement into or involuntary movement into social institutions, such as: social institutions, such as: monks/nuns, elderly, prisoners, monks/nuns, elderly, prisoners, boarding school or college boarding school or college students, soldiersstudents, soldiers

Mental stress risks Mental stress risks Health risksHealth risks

““NEW IMMIGRANTS” NEW IMMIGRANTS” TO US AND CANADATO US AND CANADA

New ImmigrantsNew Immigrants = international migrants who = international migrants who have moved since:have moved since:

1965 amendments to the Immigration and 1965 amendments to the Immigration and Naturalization ActNaturalization Act: more skilled workers from : more skilled workers from developing nations, “family reunification” developing nations, “family reunification” (Asia, L.Am., Caribbean, E. EU and Russia) (Asia, L.Am., Caribbean, E. EU and Russia)

US visasUS visas: : 1.1. ImmigrantImmigrant (residence, can work & apply for (residence, can work & apply for

citizenship)citizenship)2.2. Non-immigrantNon-immigrant (tourists & students, limited (tourists & students, limited

time, no working privileges)time, no working privileges)

““NEW IMMIGRANTS”NEW IMMIGRANTS”3 trends since the 1990s:3 trends since the 1990s:

1. 1. GlobalizationGlobalization = More nations = More nations involved in international migration, involved in international migration, more more culturalcultural diversitydiversity in all nations in all nations

2. 2. AccelerationAcceleration = Numbers of migrants = Numbers of migrants growing in all regionsgrowing in all regions

3. 3. FeminizationFeminization = Women are = Women are increasingly migrating to and from increasingly migrating to and from all regions, and are becoming the all regions, and are becoming the majority of migrantsmajority of migrants

Post 1960’s Immigration to USPost 1960’s Immigration to US Latin America & CaribbeanLatin America & Caribbean

MexicoMexico Dominican RepublicDominican Republic El SalvadorEl Salvador

AsiaAsia KoreaKorea VietnamVietnam IndiaIndia

Former Soviet UnionFormer Soviet Union AfricaAfrica

New Immigrants from New Immigrants from Latin America & the Latin America & the

CaribbeanCaribbean 2000 census2000 census: Latinos totaled c. 36 : Latinos totaled c. 36

million people (12.5% of US population)million people (12.5% of US population)

LA, Miami, San Antonio, NYLA, Miami, San Antonio, NY = Latinos = Latinos are largest minority groupare largest minority group

3 largest subgroups3 largest subgroups: Mexicans, Puerto : Mexicans, Puerto Ricans , and Cubans (then Dominican Ricans , and Cubans (then Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, El Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru)Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru)

Mexican ImmigrantsMexican Immigrants 2006: about 10-15 million Mexican 2006: about 10-15 million Mexican

immigrants in US, largest # of foreign-immigrants in US, largest # of foreign-born immigrants in USborn immigrants in US

1990-2000 = the # doubled1990-2000 = the # doubled

Most common destination states: CA, Most common destination states: CA, TX, IL (then GA, NC)TX, IL (then GA, NC)

MX is leading source of illegal MX is leading source of illegal immigrationimmigration

DominicansDominicans one of the fastest immigrant groups in USone of the fastest immigrant groups in US Concentrated in Washington Heights, NYCConcentrated in Washington Heights, NYC Mostly middle and upper-classMostly middle and upper-class Hope to return homeHope to return home ““chain migration”chain migration” = first wave of = first wave of

immigrants attracts relatives and friendsimmigrants attracts relatives and friends Manufacturing & garment industries, retail Manufacturing & garment industries, retail

& wholesale trade& wholesale trade Competitive with newer immigrants from Competitive with newer immigrants from

MX and Central AmericaMX and Central America Highest poverty rate in NYC (37%), mostly Highest poverty rate in NYC (37%), mostly

women-headed households w/childrenwomen-headed households w/children Gender gap in wages, but still better than Gender gap in wages, but still better than

homehome

SalvadoransSalvadorans 4th largest Latino population in the 4th largest Latino population in the

USUS Civil war from 1979-1989 = major Civil war from 1979-1989 = major

reason for emigrationreason for emigration Most war refugees settled in NY Most war refugees settled in NY

(esp. Long Island)(esp. Long Island) Many poor Salvadorans entered Many poor Salvadorans entered

illegally across the MX borderillegally across the MX border Service work: nannies, maids, Service work: nannies, maids,

restaurants, caregivers, gardening, restaurants, caregivers, gardening, construction, pool cleaningconstruction, pool cleaning

New Immigrants from East Asia:New Immigrants from East Asia:KoreansKoreans

Before 1965Before 1965: Korean immigrants were wives of : Korean immigrants were wives of US servicemen & children adopted by US US servicemen & children adopted by US parentsparents

19621962: South Korean govt. encouraged massive : South Korean govt. encouraged massive emigration for economic opportunity, family emigration for economic opportunity, family reunificationreunification

1985-19871985-1987: more than 35,000 Koreans : more than 35,000 Koreans immigrated to US per year (S. Korea was immigrated to US per year (S. Korea was largest immigrant source after MX and largest immigrant source after MX and Philippines)Philippines)

1945-19511945-1951: Many N. Koreans escaped : Many N. Koreans escaped communist N. Korea to live in S. Korea as communist N. Korea to live in S. Korea as displaced refugeesdisplaced refugees

New Immigrants from East Asia:New Immigrants from East Asia:KoreansKoreans

Entrepreneurs, Christian, middle-classEntrepreneurs, Christian, middle-class

1990s = # of lower-class immigrants 1990s = # of lower-class immigrants increasedincreased

Many moved to LA (Whites were less than Many moved to LA (Whites were less than 40%. Asian Americans & Latinos were 50%.)40%. Asian Americans & Latinos were 50%.)

South Central LA: Black, Latino, & Korean South Central LA: Black, Latino, & Korean American peopleAmerican people

Conflict over politics & liquor store Conflict over politics & liquor store ownership led to 1992 riots: 187 Korean ownership led to 1992 riots: 187 Korean liquor stores were damaged (among 1000s liquor stores were damaged (among 1000s of businesses), 1/3 of all deaths were of businesses), 1/3 of all deaths were Latinos Latinos

New Immigrants from New Immigrants from South East Asia: VietnameseSouth East Asia: Vietnamese

Post-war 1970s = over 1.25 million Post-war 1970s = over 1.25 million refugees relocated to US, Canada, refugees relocated to US, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, UKAustralia, France, Germany, UK

33rdrd largest Asian American minority largest Asian American minority in USin US

3 subgroups:3 subgroups: 1975 Elite1975 Elite: US employees & members : US employees & members

of S. Vietnamese govt. & military, left of S. Vietnamese govt. & military, left before communism, intact families, before communism, intact families, financial assistance, English skills, financial assistance, English skills, good jobsgood jobs

New Immigrants from New Immigrants from South East Asia: VietnameseSouth East Asia: Vietnamese

““Boat People”Boat People” : came to US after : came to US after Vietnam-China conflict of 1978, rural, Vietnam-China conflict of 1978, rural, lived under communism, dangerous lived under communism, dangerous exit through Cambodia (over 50% exit through Cambodia (over 50% died), refugees in Thailand, Malaysia, died), refugees in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong before US, the Philippines, Hong Kong before US, no/low English skills, depressed US no/low English skills, depressed US economy of 1980seconomy of 1980s

Ethnic ChineseEthnic Chinese: distinct class of : distinct class of entrepreneurs in Vietnam, arrived as entrepreneurs in Vietnam, arrived as boat people, left in 1987, difficult time boat people, left in 1987, difficult time adjusting in USadjusting in US

New Immigrants from New Immigrants from South Asia: Hindus from IndiaSouth Asia: Hindus from India

1965: first wave of South Asians, mostly 1965: first wave of South Asians, mostly male professionals from Indiamale professionals from India

NYC: largest population of Indians in USNYC: largest population of Indians in US

First wave professions: medicine, First wave professions: medicine, engineering, managementengineering, management

Later waves: less educated, Later waves: less educated, convenience stores, hotel/motel convenience stores, hotel/motel ownership, licensed cab drivers ownership, licensed cab drivers (Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis)(Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis)

New Immigrants from New Immigrants from South Asia: Hindus from IndiaSouth Asia: Hindus from India

““better-off” immigrant group: better-off” immigrant group: value children’s education, higher value children’s education, higher education, small families in US, education, small families in US, invest in social advancementinvest in social advancement

Hindu temples: pass on heritage Hindu temples: pass on heritage to next generation, including to next generation, including languagelanguage Ganesha Temple in NY: founded in Ganesha Temple in NY: founded in

1997, pilgrimage destination for 1997, pilgrimage destination for Hindus in NYHindus in NY

New Immigrants from New Immigrants from the Former Soviet Unionthe Former Soviet Union

19911991: collapse of Soviet Union into 15 : collapse of Soviet Union into 15 separate countriesseparate countries

Over Over 9 million9 million people moved through people moved through E. Europe and Central AsiaE. Europe and Central Asia

Since 1988: largest Since 1988: largest refugeerefugee group to group to enter the USenter the US

Soviet JewsSoviet Jews: large proportion of : large proportion of refugeesrefugees Largest # moved to IsraelLargest # moved to Israel Since 1960s, over 300,000 settled in US, Since 1960s, over 300,000 settled in US,

especially CAespecially CA

Issues for Soviet Jews:Issues for Soviet Jews: Used to wide-range of Govt. services (jobs, Used to wide-range of Govt. services (jobs,

housing, day care, etc.), but no longerhousing, day care, etc.), but no longer

““White Europeans”: dominant race majority White Europeans”: dominant race majority in US, but not in Soviet Unionin US, but not in Soviet Union

Access to prosperous US Jewish communitiesAccess to prosperous US Jewish communities

Difficulty finding good jobs, so menial laborDifficulty finding good jobs, so menial labor

Marriage brokerage (young Russian women)Marriage brokerage (young Russian women)

Culture and Language lossCulture and Language loss

New Immigrants from AfricaNew Immigrants from Africa Largest Forced Migration: Trans-Largest Forced Migration: Trans-

Atlantic Slave Trade, c. 12 million Atlantic Slave Trade, c. 12 million slaves from Africa to Latin Am., slaves from Africa to Latin Am., Caribbean, US (height of trade from Caribbean, US (height of trade from 1600-1800)1600-1800)

1990: c. 500,000 African-born people1990: c. 500,000 African-born people

Smallest # of immigrants in USSmallest # of immigrants in US

Africans have migrated to the US by Africans have migrated to the US by choicechoice throughout the 1900s throughout the 1900s

3 waves of African migration to 3 waves of African migration to USUS

Students & professionalsStudents & professionals stayed in US stayed in US due to political and economic struggles in due to political and economic struggles in Africa since the 1970s. Africa since the 1970s. Immigration Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986Reform and Control Act of 1986 granted granted 400,000 Africans immigrant status & 400,000 Africans immigrant status & relaxed the immigration policy toward relaxed the immigration policy toward Africans Africans

Political refugees: Political refugees: mid-1980s, especially mid-1980s, especially from the conflict-torn Horn of Africa from the conflict-torn Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan)(Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan)

Diversity Visa programDiversity Visa program (lottery): 1990s (lottery): 1990s Immigration and Naturalization Services Immigration and Naturalization Services

Migration PoliticsMigration Politics Labor FlowLabor Flow: cheap immigrant labor : cheap immigrant labor

supports businesses around the supports businesses around the worldworld Undermines labor unionsUndermines labor unions Status of established, legal workersStatus of established, legal workers

US Immigration LawUS Immigration Law: : whowho will be will be allowed & what allowed & what govtgovt. . benefitsbenefits

Problem:Problem: “immigrant jobs” are “immigrant jobs” are less desirable, more stigmatized, less desirable, more stigmatized, less well-payingless well-paying

Migration PoliticsMigration Politics Forced MigrationForced Migration: human rights : human rights

violationsviolations

““Right of return”Right of return” : displaced : displaced people have a guaranteed right to people have a guaranteed right to go home, 1974 UN “Inalienable go home, 1974 UN “Inalienable right.” (ex. Big issue for right.” (ex. Big issue for Palestinian refugees after 1948)Palestinian refugees after 1948)

Health careHealth care? A universal human ? A universal human right!right!