Migration to the United StatesMigration to the United States

The Impact on People and PlacesChapter 8

What hurdles are there for people who leave their homeland?

• Leaving family & Friends behind• Leaving belongings behind• Leaving a place you are familiar with and

going to a place you may know nothing about• Having to learn a new language and customs• Finding a home and employment

Why do people come to the US?

• Opportunity• Escaping from something• New Start

Vocabulary pg. 121

Immigrate - the movement of non-native people into a country; People who move to another country area called immigrants

Emigrate - to leave one country or region to settle in another; People who leave a country are called Emigrants

Migrate - to go from one country, region, or place to another

8.2 Geographic Setting

• Both Push & Pull factors drive people to move to a new country

• Push Examples – War, poverty, discrimination, famine

• Pull Examples – Freedom & Opportunity• Since 1820, more than 65 million people have

moved to the US in three great waves

8.2 Continued• Three Great Waves1st – began with the founding of the US– people came from mainly Northern & Western Europe– Many were escaping poverty and hunger

2nd – Late 1800’s, many from Eastern & Southern Europe– Fleeing War and Persecution, most worked in city factories

3rd – Late 1960’s to today, US changed immigration laws– From 1970 to 2003 24 million people moved to US– 75% came from Latin America & Asia

• Asians to the coasts, Mexicans in the Southwest, Cubans in Florida, Large cities attracted people from all over

8.3 What Push Factors Drive Emigration?

• “The Lost Boys of Sudan”• Political Push Factors – war, fear of leaders &

persecution• Environmental Push Factors – drought, natural

& human disasters• Economic Push Factors – most common, not

able to make a living in home country

8.4 What Pull Factors Draw Immigration?• “The Lost Boys of Sudan” came from Kenyan refugee

camp to Massachusetts• They were looking forward to being safe, going to

school, and working• Family Pull Factors – often young men leave first, get

established, and send for the family• Education Pull Factors – many move to attend good

schools, older students come to attend college • Quality-of-life Pull Factors – to achieve the

“American Dream” to create a better life for themselves and family

8.5 How Does Immigration Affect the U.S.?

• “Lost Boys” trouble adjusting to life, homesick, didn’t know how to shop for food or cook because they have never seen a stove or microwave, never used a phone

• The boys had jobs and were studying for college, they knew they hold their future in their hands

8.5 Continued• Economic Impacts: Jobs – the US has always

depended on immigrant labor• Many people come with few skills and often take low

paying jobs (low paying for US standards) laborers, cab drivers, restaurant workers

• Some immigrants are highly educated and work as doctors, professors, computer programmers, athletes, musicians, & business owners

• Some “Native Born “ Americans resent having to compete with immigrants for work

8.5 Continued• Economic Impacts: Taxes – Immigrants pay

taxes that help the economy• Some immigrants also use tax funded

programs (language classes, health care)• Cultural Impacts: Neighborhoods, Foods, and

Holidays – immigrants introduce their culture to US, creates a “Melting Pot”

8.5 Continued• Newcomers often live close to people from their

homeland (Chinatown & Little Italy)• They can speak their language, eat native food and

learn news from homeland• Food - can be introduce to country (sushi, taco,

bagels, potstickers)• Holiday’s – Natives often celebrate (St. Patrick’s Day,

Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Hmong New Year)• Music & art• Immigration helps people learn about the world

(what was taking place in the Sudan)

8.6 How Does Emigration Affect the Homelands People Leave Behind?

• Economic Impacts: Brain Drain and Gain – when people leave they take whatever they contributed with them (called brain drain)

• Many immigrants send money back home – Remittances

• Some leave for school and return (brain gain)

8.6 Continued• Social Impacts: Divided Families and

Community Improvements – plus and minus• Plus – money sent home can help families by

taking care of elderly and send kids to school• Minus – families are separated, some never

come home• Political Impacts: Working for Better

Government – refugees work hard to bring democracy to their homeland

8.7 Beginning to Think Globally

• Other regions of the world are attracting immigrants (Spain, Canada, Australia)

8.8 Global ConnectionsQuestions

• Why might some regions “Push” more migrants than they “Pull”?

• Why might some regions “Pull” more migrants than they “Push”?

• How does migration change the places people leave and those they come to?

8.8 Answers• 2 big push factors – Poverty & Conflict – Africa

has seen a rise in both while the rest of the world has seen a decline

• Attracted to developed regions – more jobs, schools, health care, safety – often emigrants move to the developed region nearest their home

• Effects are mixed – too many leave the economy can suffer, customs fade away & too many people come can cause overcrowding