Why People Become Immigrants

There may be a number of reason why a person would want to leave their place of birth. War, poor economic and educational opportunities, religious persecution, terrorism, and natural disaster are a few push factors. Push factors are reasons that push people out of a country (make them want to leave)

Sometimes people are not forced out of their country, but want to leave because they are attracted to favorable conditions in another country. These are called pull factors. Job opportunities, free health care, lower taxes, better climate are all examples of pull factors. Usually it is a combination of both push and pull factors which causes people to become immigrants.

Sometimes things prevent people form following through with their decision to immigrate to another country. These are called Intervening obstacles. Not being able to meet the requirements of the Canadian government’s immigration policies is an example of an intervening obstacle. The cost of moving, the distance between Canada and their homeland, moving from family, all may be considered intervening obstacles.