Why do people migrate? Objective: Analyze the push and pull factors of migration. Evaluate their legitimacy as reasons why people migrate.

Push and Pull Factors Can be economic, political, environmental, cultural, technological Push factor – negative home conditions, encourages people to LEAVE a place Pull factor – presumed positive attractions of the migration destination, desire to GO to a new place

Economic Factors Push Pull Few jobs Loss of jobs Recession Too expensive Abundance of jobs Natural resources Growth = need for labor Perception that life is better Cheap land

Political Factors Push Pull Oppression Forced migration Boundary changes = minority status Conflict and war – avoid threats, loss of property, destruction, death Lure of freedom Boundary changes = majority status Conflict and war – offer asylum to refugees Promise of stable government and safety

Environmental Factors Push Pull Land does not support lifestyle (nomadic herding, lack of water) Escape pollution Environmental disaster Hazardous life Better land available Fewer urban woes (pollution, crime, traffic, high cost of living) Resources available

Cultural Factors Push Pull Culture not accepted Minority status Loss of status as majority Culture accepted Majority status Similar culture Kinship links

Technological Factors Push Pull Intervening obstacles (environmental or cultural) Improved transportation Improved information Kinship links Chain migration

West Side Story “America” Identify the push and pull factors in the song. Push factors from Puerto Rico? Pull factors to the US? Push factors from the US? Pull factors to Puerto Rico? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy6wo2wpT2k

Migrant Workers Most people migrate for economic reasons In the US, Canada and Europe, economic migrants must possess certain skill sets to be admitted People unable to migrate permanently may be allowed to migrate temporarily (guest worker) Some people migrate illegally – unauthorized immigrants Send remittances home to family members http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/

Forced Political Migrants Refugee, Internally Displaced Person (IDP), Asylum Seeker In 2000, UNHCR reported 24 million people around the world were international refugees States can grant asylum – shelter and protection of refugees from another state

Characteristics of Refugees Move without any more property than they can carry or transport with them Make first “step” on foot, bicycle or boat Move without official documents Sub-Saharan Africa has largest number of refugees due to civil war/genocide Other regions of dislocation: Middle East (Palestinians, Kurds) SE Asia (Vietnam previously, Cambodia, Myanmar) Europe (Yugoslavia) Colombia

Exit Slip Respond: Our objectives today: Analyze the push and pull factors of migration. Evaluate their legitimacy as reasons why people migrate. Respond: What do you think is the most legitimate reason for why people migrate? Explain your answer.