1. Migration to the United States
The Impact on People and Places
Chapter 8

2. What hurdles are there for people who leave their homeland?
Leaving family & Friends behind
Leaving belongings behind
Leaving a place you are familiar with and going to a place you may know nothing about
Having to learn a new language and customs
Finding a home and employment

3. Why do people come to the US?
Opportunity
Escaping from something
New Start

4. Vocabulary pg. 121
Immigrate - the movement of non-native people into a country; People who move to another country area called immigrants Emigrate - to leave one country or region to settle in another; People who leave a country are called Emigrants Migrate - to go from one country, region, or place to another

5. 8.2 Geographic Setting
Both Push & Pull factors drive people to move to a new country
Push Examples – War, poverty, discrimination, famine
Pull Examples – Freedom & Opportunity
Since 1820, more than 65 million people have moved to the US in three great waves

6. 8.2 Continued Three Great Waves
1st – began with the founding of the US
people came from mainly Northern & Western Europe
Many were escaping poverty and hunger
2nd – Late 1800’s, many from Eastern & Southern Europe
Fleeing War and Persecution, most worked in city factories
3rd – Late 1960’s to today, US changed immigration laws
From 1970 to million people moved to US
75% came from Latin America & Asia
Asians to the coasts, Mexicans in the Southwest, Cubans in Florida, Large cities attracted people from all over

7. 8.3 What Push Factors Drive Emigration?
“The Lost Boys of Sudan”
Political Push Factors – war, fear of leaders & persecution
Environmental Push Factors – drought, natural & human disasters
Economic Push Factors – most common, not able to make a living in home country

8. 8.4 What Pull Factors Draw Immigration?
“The Lost Boys of Sudan” came from Kenyan refugee camp to Massachusetts
They were looking forward to being safe, going to school, and working
Family Pull Factors – often young men leave first, get established, and send for the family
Education Pull Factors – many move to attend good schools, older students come to attend college
Quality-of-life Pull Factors – to achieve the “American Dream” to create a better life for themselves and family

9. 8.5 How Does Immigration Affect the U.S.?
“Lost Boys” trouble adjusting to life, homesick, didn’t know how to shop for food or cook because they have never seen a stove or microwave, never used a phone
The boys had jobs and were studying for college, they knew they hold their future in their hands

10. 8.5 Continued
Economic Impacts: Jobs – the US has always depended on immigrant labor
Many people come with few skills and often take low paying jobs (low paying for US standards) laborers, cab drivers, restaurant workers
Some immigrants are highly educated and work as doctors, professors, computer programmers, athletes, musicians, & business owners
Some “Native Born “ Americans resent having to compete with immigrants for work

11. 8.5 Continued
Economic Impacts: Taxes – Immigrants pay taxes that help the economy
Some immigrants also use tax funded programs (language classes, health care)
Cultural Impacts: Neighborhoods, Foods, and Holidays – immigrants introduce their culture to US, creates a “Melting Pot”

12. 8.5 Continued
Newcomers often live close to people from their homeland (Chinatown & Little Italy)
They can speak their language, eat native food and learn news from homeland
Food - can be introduce to country (sushi, taco, bagels, potstickers)
Holiday’s – Natives often celebrate (St. Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Hmong New Year)
Music & art
Immigration helps people learn about the world (what was taking place in the Sudan)

13. 8.6 How Does Emigration Affect the Homelands People Leave Behind?
Economic Impacts: Brain Drain and Gain – when people leave they take whatever they contributed with them (called brain drain)
Many immigrants send money back home – Remittances
Some leave for school and return (brain gain)

14. 8.6 Continued
Social Impacts: Divided Families and Community Improvements – plus and minus
Plus – money sent home can help families by taking care of elderly and send kids to school
Minus – families are separated, some never come home
Political Impacts: Working for Better Government – refugees work hard to bring democracy to their homeland

15. 8.7 Beginning to Think Globally
Other regions of the world are attracting immigrants (Spain, Canada, Australia)

16. 8.8 Global Connections Questions
Why might some regions “Push” more migrants than they “Pull”?
Why might some regions “Pull” more migrants than they “Push”?
How does migration change the places people leave and those they come to?

17. 8.8 Answers
2 big push factors – Poverty & Conflict – Africa has seen a rise in both while the rest of the world has seen a decline
Attracted to developed regions – more jobs, schools, health care, safety – often emigrants move to the developed region nearest their home
Effects are mixed – too many leave the economy can suffer, customs fade away & too many people come can cause overcrowding