International Migration

Immigration is not a new phenomenon Immigration is not a new phenomenon. It dates back to the early stages of written history. Though migration is not new, it is accelerating as part of the process of global integration. This is a reflection of the rapidly changing economic, political and cultural ties between countries.

The Age of Migration Currently, around 175 million people reside in a country other than where they were born. That is equivalent to 3 per cent of the world’s population.

Immigration: The movement of people into a country to settle. Emigration: To leave a country to settle in another. The two waves together produce global migration patterns that link countries of origin and countries of destination. Immigration is now an important issue in many countries with significant social, cultural, economic and political repercussions.

Migration and the UK Immigration to the British isles has existed throughout recorded history Industrialization saw migration within the British Isles from the Celtic fringe and other rural areas to expanding urban centres Migration from the near continent has occurred as groups have fled political and religious persecution During the 1930s and 40s many fleeing Nazi expansion in mainland Europe fled to Britain

Rising immigration rates have challenged commonly held notions of national identity; Also forced a re-examination of concepts of citizenship. What might be some of the issues regarding the concept of citizenship? (definiton of citizenship, granting citizenship rights, dual citizenship)

Migration and the UK Post-Second World War immigration primarily from Commonwealth nations to meet a need for unskilled workers Immigration and asylum regulations tightened by successive governments since the 1960s New migration sees free movement of labour between member states of the European Union

Models of Migration Classic Model (Australia, US, Canada) Nations built from immigration; citizenship extended to migrants Colonial Model (Britain, France) Favours immigrants from former colonies; builds on pre-established partial citizenship Guest Worker Model (Germany, Swiss) Immigrants admitted on temporary basis; no citizenship rights Illegal Forms (Mexico-US border) Remaining beyond visa expiry/people smuggling

Recent Global Trends in Migration Acceleration Migration across borders in greater numbers Diversification Most countries receive immigrants of different types Globalization More countries involved as both senders and receivers Feminization Global demand for domestic, care and sex workers

Push and Pull Factors Push factors: encouraging migrants to leave home country Political oppression War Famine Poverty Population pressure

Push and Pull Factors Pull Factors: factors drawing migrants to host nation Employment opportunities Higher standards of living Lower population density

Global Migration Systems Interaction of micro and macro issues: Micro: resources, knowledge and understandings of migrant population Macro: political situation, immigration laws and regulations, shifts in the international economy

Diaspora In his book Global Diasporas (1997), Cohen defines diaspora as “the dispersal of an ethnic population from an original homeland into foreign areas, often in a forced manner or under traumatic circumstances”.

Types of diaspora Victim diaspora Labor diaspora Trading diaspora Imperial diaspora Cultural diaspora

Characteristics of diaspora Movement from homeland Shared collective memory of homeland and belif in the possibility of return Ethnic identity sustained over time and distance Sense of solidarity with other members of the group