Key Issue 4: Why Do Migrants Face Obstacles?

Key Issue 4: Why Do Migrants Face Obstacles?

Identify the Types of Immigrants who are given preference to enter the United States

Intervening obstacles that make it difficult to migrate were once primarily physical, but are now largely political. Migrants used to face a long, arduous, and expensive passage by land and sea. Transportation improvements have diminished the importance of environmental features as intervening obstacles. Now the biggest obstacle for migrants is the lack of a passport or visa.

Controlling Migration

Quota Laws limit the source regions and numbers of new migrants allowed. Quota laws were historically preferential to Europeans. Today’s quotas give preference to talented and skilled workers in wanted professions which in the long run harms the countries these professionals are emigrating from. This situation is called brain drain. Family members of U.S. citizens are also given preference. Two reasons VISAS are granted are: Employment and Family reunification.

U.S. Quota Laws

The Quota Act of 1921 and National Origins Acts 1924 established quotas in the U.S. and ended unrestricted immigration. Established maximum limits of people who could immigrate in a one year period.

1924 – For each country that had native-born persons already living in the US, 2% of the number (based on 1910 census) could immigrate each year-guaranteeing they would be Europeans.

1965 - Country quotas are replaced with hemispheric quotas. (170, 0000/Eastern-120,000/Western)

1978 - A global quota of 290,000 people is set, and max of 20,000 per country.

1990 - Global quota rose to 700,000.

·  The quota does not apply to refugees. [SEE KEY ISSUE 3]

·  Spouses, Children, and Parents of US citizens admitted without limit-This number varies from year-to-year.

·  Preference to skilled workers and talented people. Educated Scientist, doctors, researchers come which takes skilled labor away from other countries, and this is known as a brain drain.

·  Chain migration is when one family member is in the United States and other family members follow them to the US from another country.

Unauthorized Immigration

Characteristics of Unauthorized Immigration Migrants who enter the United States without proper documents are called unauthorized immigrants. More than half the unauthorized immigrants in the United States emigrated from Mexico. They are also most likely to be employed in construction and hospitality industries. The states with the largest number of unauthorized immigrants are California and Texas. Thirty-five percent of unauthorized immigrants have been in the United States for 15 years or more.

Characteristics of Unauthorized Immigrants (in the U.S.)

A. Source Country - About 58% of unauthorized immigrants are from Mexico. The others are from Latin America or other regions of the world.

B. Children - 11.2 million unauthorized immigrants 1 million are children, and immigrants have given birth to 4.5 million babies who are considered legal citizens of the U.S.

C. Years in the United States – 2010 Survey Results

·  35% illegals resided in the US for 15 years or more

·  28%= 10 to 14 years.

·  22%=5-9 years.

·  15% less than 5 years.

2000 Survey reverse Distribution

·  32% illegals resided in US for less than 5 years, compared to 16% for more than 15 years.

D. Distribution - California and Texas have the largest number of unauthorized immigrants. Nevada the largest percentage.

Mexico’s Border with the United States

·  Border between US and Mexico is 1, 951 miles.

·  Crossing on Foot is possible in several places-inhabited regions

·  Barrier between is 1/4th the Border.

·  Urban Areas situated on the Border=San Diego, Tijuana (Mexico), Brownsville, Matamoros (Mexico).

·  Joint committees attempt to build monuments that mark the border in keeping with official maps.

·  Mexico is the destination for illegal immigrants south of Mexico/passport required/many cross illegally. Mexico supports border security.

Attitudes towards Immigrants

·  Americans and Europeans share mixed views. They recognize immigrant roles with the economy. US more concerned with illegals. Europeans with cultural diversity.

Characteristics of Migrants= Ravenstein notices distinctive patterns in long-distance immigrants.

·  Most long-distance migrants are male

·  Most long-distance migrants are adult individuals rather than families with children.

Gender of Migrants

·  Ravenstein theorized that men were the more likely than women to migrate long-distances-International- (searching for work)-males more likely to be employed.

·  1980’s=males 85% migrants without proper documents

·  1990’s= women about 50% undocumented migrants. Due to changing roles in Mexican society, no longer required to marry young and to care for husbands, join husbands and brothers already in US (chain migration), feel pressured to get jobs in US due to economic conditions in Mexico.

Age and Education of Migrants

Ravenstein also theorized that most long-distance immigrants were young adults seeking work rather than children or elderly.

·  About 40% of immigrants are adults between the ages of 23-39, as opposed to 23% of the entire U.S. population.

·  Only 5% of immigrants are elderly people (over 65), as opposed to 12% of the entire U.S. population.

·  Children under 15 account for 16% of immigrants, as opposed to 21% of the entire U.S. population. Many come with their mothers since more women are migrating.

·  Recent immigrants are less likely to have a high school diploma than U.S. citizens. Avg. migrant attended 4 years of school before entering US.

Immigration Concerns in the United States

Recent immigrants have long faced hostility from non-foreign-born citizens in the United States.

Border Patrols - Americans would like more effective border patrols, but not pay for it.

Workplace - Most Americans realize that immigrants take jobs that no one else wants, so they support a work-related legalization program, oppose workplace raids.

Civil Rights - Most Americans favor allowing law enforcement to stop and verify anyone who they suspect to be an unauthorized immigrant, but fear it violates Civil Rights.

Local Initiatives - Many Americans prefer that the federal government takes care of immigrants instead of local law enforcement.

·  Arizona and Alabama have passed laws that favor stronger enforcement of authorized immigration.

·  The “Sanctuary City” movement that favors passing laws which protect the rights of unauthorized immigrants.

·  Unauthorized immigrant is a neutral term used by academic observers.

·  Undocumented immigrant is used by people who advocate for the rights of immigrants.

·  Illegal alien is the term used by people who favor stronger law enforcement of immigration laws.

Opposition to Immigration US

·  Hostility began when Italians, Russians, Poles and Southern/Eastern Europeans entered the country beginning of 19th Century. Prior Immigrants helped transform prairies and grasslands into farms.

·  Early 20th Century many Americans believed the frontier as closed.

·  A Government study in 1911 concluded Europeans are radically inferior, inclined to violent crime, resisted assimilation, and drove some Americans out of work. Today Americans feel this way about immigrants from Latin America and Asia.

Immigration Concerns in Europe

Compare American and European attitudes towards immigrants

·  Europeans have more rights than ever before to migrate within Europe.

·  It has become much more difficult for non-Europeans to immigrate to a European country.

·  Immigrants to Europe also encounter resistance from citizens.

·  Hostility to immigrants has become a central plank in the platform of political parties in many European countries.

Sources of European Immigration -

·  The 1985 Schengen Treaty allows for easily immigration between countries in the European Union. (EU) Hold a job, live permanently, and own property elsewhere.

·  Removal of these restrictions created large-scale migration within Europe-from poorer countries-to wealthier ones.

·  Southeastern Europe (Romania), (Bulgaria) (Albania) (Serbia) to Italy Spain.

·  Eastern Europe (Poland) (Russia) (Ukraine) to Germany United Kingdom Ireland.

·  Northern Europe=UK and Germany to warmer climates Southern Europe Spain

Opponents of Immigration -

·  Most European countries are in Stage 4 of the demographic transition, and does not face the threat of overpopulation on the continent Population growth in Europe come from immigrants to Europe Europeans do not like it.

·  Anti-immigration (Political) groups blame immigrants for crime, unemployment, and high welfare, and fear that the immigrants will greatly affect the culture of the region. They speak different languages and don’t practice the same religion.

·  The 2008 global recession has led to reduced numbers of immigrants in both Europe and the United States. High unemployment and unknown expense to move. Spain, Portugal, and Ireland once again experience Net-Out Migration.

Europeans as Emigrants -

·  After the Industrial Revolution, Europe had a population boom and many people migrated to other regions of the world.

·  Europeans (65 Million Migrants) brought their culture, and the cultural landscape has been drastically changed due to the introduction of their culture.

·  European political and economic systems were introduced to the entire world during the Age of Colonization, and most countries today have been somewhat influenced by European immigrants and their culture.

·  Diffusion from Europe all over the World: Indo- European Languages (spoken by ½ the world’s people), Art, Architecture, Music, Literature, Philosophy, Christianity.