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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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?

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.