Whether it’s the call of opportunity in a new location or the desire to escape the political problems within a country, migrating from your homeland is certainly not a new idea.
Every day, many people consider the benefits of moving somewhere else. Immigration is not just a highly charged topic discussed by world leaders, but it’s also a concept that is meaningful for the millions of people living all over the world.
As mentioned above, immigration can be spurred by either pull or push factors. Some people are drawn to live in a new place because of the opportunities available there, particularly where economic expansion is present. Many people, though, feel pushed from their current residence as a result of issues like civil war, unemployment, persecution, hunger, or poverty.
With so many opportunities available in the United States, it’s not surprising that immigration has emerged as a major issue for the country today. In fact, in 2013, 41.3 million immigrants lived in the U.S., remarkable as this is an all-time high for a country with a past based on immigration.
The U.S. is one of the most popular destinations for immigrants today; despite only having 5 percent of the world’s population, the U.S. attracts almost 20 percent of the world’s immigrants.
How People Migrate
One of the most common concerns prompting someone to migrate emerges when a couple has children. A desire to set up a better future for children is a common reason for a family to evaluate the benefits of immigration. This could be followed by careful research about where to move to and how to carry out that move.
Many individuals contemplating immigration will find out that there are legal and social barriers to immigration, but often in the face of the new chances available, a family will decide to move forward with immigration in any case. This is especially true when a couple has younger children and wants the best possible opportunities for those children.
What Immigrants Look For in a New Country
Before uprooting their lives and relocating to a new place, an immigrant will carefully consider the benefits of moving against the negative aspects of moving his or her family. That being said, more often than not the perceived benefits of moving will outweigh the challenges of moving. Here are some of the most common reasons that an immigrant moves to a new place:
- Better educational opportunities for children
- Perception of a more fair or just government
- Freedom from religious persecution
- Better economic opportunities and access to jobs
- Better living conditions
- Access to better healthcare
- Living in an area less likely to be impacted by natural disasters
- Desire to be closer to family members
- Less crime
- More fertile land
- Lower taxes or better access to government assistance
It is likely that someone evaluating migration will consider more than one of these factors in making his or her decision. The drive to have the best life possible and to continue that for one’s children is what helps to push immigration today, as it has for so many generations.
About Author:
Attorney Robert Rogers practices in small business and iemmigration law with an office in Miami, Florida. He has extensive experience assisting clients on international business ventures along with helping foreigners with their immigration needs.