Migration to the United States: The Impact on People and Places Why do they come?

We’re leaving… Making the decision to move away from one’s home country is never easy. It means leaving behind family and friends, and familiar places and customs. Millions of people around the world make this decision every year. Many come to the United States. Since the beginning of our country’s history, the US population has been made up of families who have come from other countries.

When people immigrate or move to another country, they experience many changes. They leave familiar things behind and arrive in a place where almost everything is new to them. They need to learn a new language and learn how to make a living in a strange place.

Melting pot or salad bowl? These changes can be difficult at first. People also bring their traditions and culture with them. Their different ways can sometimes be difficult for their neighbors to adjust to. They may bring a new language, different religion and customs.

However, the culture they bring to the United States is often blended into our own country’s culture. The acceptance of people from different cultures, countries and religions is what allows diverse groups to co-exist peacefully in our country. What are some examples of blended cultures in this picture?

Why would people do it? Both Push and Pull factors drive people to move to a new country. Push Factors are good reasons to leave unpleasant circumstances in the home country Pull Factors are reasons why you choose the new country to move to over any other country. Think about reasons why you have ever moved, what were reasons that pushed you to move? What were the reasons that pulled you to where you are now?

Push Factors What’s pushing you out of the country? 2. Political Factors: a. Wars: Unsafe to live in your country b. Leaders: fear the country’s leaders: dictatorship ( Cuba or at one time, Iraq) c. Fear of persecution (unfair treatment because of beliefs) Will I be arrested for my beliefs or what I say? 3. Environmental Long term drought Plant disease Human activity (nuclear accident, pollution etc.) What’s pushing you out of the country? 1. Economic Factors No way to improve their way of life in their homeland. Need employment.

Pull Factors 2. Family: 3. Education 1. Quality of life: What made you choose one country over another? 2. Family: Immigrants may already have family in the country they are moving to. Often young men come first and then send for their families. 3. Education Parents move to give their children a better education. Over 572,000 college students are foreigners. Many eventually stay in the US 1. Quality of life: American Dream: better food, housing, and health care Sense of security Better jobs: even low paying US jobs usually pay more than immigrants made back home. Save money and bring other relatives over.

Where are they going? Look at the map, which areas of the world are experiencing large amounts of emigration (leaving their country)? Which areas of the world are experiencing large amounts of immigration, (entering a new country)? What effect might emigration have on a country? What effect might immigration have on a country?

Top Ten Countries of Origin of US Immigration, 2002 Country Number of Immigrants Percentage of all US immigrants Mexico 115,864 16.4% India 50,372 7.1% Philippines 45,397 6.4% China 40,659 5.8% El Salvador 28,296 4% Dominican Republic 26,205 3.7% Vietnam 22,133 3.1% Colombia 14,777 2.1% Guatemala 14,415 2% Russia 13,951 Total 372,069 people 52.6% What areas of the world are the largest number of immigrants coming from?

How does Immigration Effect the US? Economic Impact (jobs) Immigrant labor helped build the US and fight its wars Many immigrant laborers took low paying jobs that native born workers don’t want Some immigrants are highly skilled workers like doctors, programmers, and scientists Some immigrants start new businesses or work as athletes or artists

How does Immigration Effect the US? Economic impact (taxes) Working immigrants pay taxes which support schools, libraries, and health clinics. Some immigrants need services such as language classes, welfare and health care

How does Immigration Effect the US? 3. Cultural impact: Immigrants neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy enrich American cities. Immigrant foods such as pizza, bagels, tacos, and sushi become popular Immigrants expand Americans’ knowledge of the world Cultural traditions are celebrated by many : St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and the Chinese New Year Chicago River colored green for St. Patrick’s Day

How does Emigration Effect the Homeland? 1. Economic Impact Brain drain and gain Home countries lose the training and talent of skilled immigrants Many immigrants send money back to the families Some immigrants go to school or work and then return to share their skills and experience.

How does Emigration Effect the Homeland? 2. Social impact families and communities When people leave to find jobs, their families are splintered, sometimes for years. Money sent home helps families pay for health care and helps communities pay for schools, wells, and other improvements.

How does Emigration Effect the Homeland? 3. Political impact: Some immigrants work for democracy in their own country They might become leaders in their own country VLADUS ADAMKUS Came to the US from Lithuania in the 1940’s Returned in 1991 and was elected President in 1998 and reelected in 2004.