Migration to the United States The Impact on People and Places Chapter 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 Waves 1st – 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 Connections Questions 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