Push/Pull Factors of Immigration

Push factors are things or events that push people out of one place and to another. This is also known as emigration. Pull factors are advantages that pull people into a new place. This is also known as immigration. Home Country Receiving Country Emigration Immigration

PUSH FACTORS Reasons to Emigrate

FAMINE Scarcity of food In the 1840’s a potato famine in Ireland destroyed the potato crops and caused many Irish to immigrate to the United States.

Lack of opportunity Many people emigrate from their homes because there may not be enough jobs or opportunities and/or land is scarce.

Overcrowding/poverty For example: The Industrial Revolution in Britain led to overcrowding in the cities and did little to improve impoverished conditions. In fact, it led to them.

Persecution The Pilgrims left Europe because they were persecuted for their beliefs. Many people, predominantly Jews, but not exclusively Jews, fled Europe before World War II because they, too, were persecuted. The lucky ones left before the Holocaust.

War/Political Oppression When your home is destroyed by war or you are persecuted for your political persuasion you may be pushed to go somewhere else.

Pull Factors (Immigration)

Jobs Have your parents ever been transferred because of their jobs? This is a pull factor. It make sense to move for a better job.

Freedoms Before the fall of the iron curtain, citizens of communist countries like the U.S.S.R left their country illegally to countries that offered the kinds of freedoms we have in the United States.

Opportunity Often times in the past, people immigrated because the new land offers opportunities their homeland does not. Not only job opportunities, but opportunities to own land and build empires.

Education Look at the Universities in the USA. Students from all over the world come here because our universities offer higher education that is superior to their own countries.

Standard of Living The United States is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Much of this is because of the richness of our natural resources and the industry generated by them. This results in a higher quality of life and advance health care.