The Impacts of International Migration

AP Human Geography

Objective

• By the end of this lesson, students will be able to describe the positive and negative impacts that international migrations have at their origins and destinations.

Migration/Immigration/Emigration

• Migration refers to directed, regular, or systematic movement of a group of objects, organisms, or people

• Immigration is the introduction of new people into a habitat or population

• Emigration is the act of leaving one's native country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin.

Net-in Migration/Net-out Migration/Chain Migration

• Net-in migration: the total number of people who arrive to a country

• Net-out migration: the total number of people who leave a country

• Chain Migration: immigrants from a particular country follow others (like family) from that same country to a new country

Social Impacts

Positive Impacts in the Country of Origin

• New ideas from the adopted country filter back to the home country

Negative Impacts in the Country of Origin

• Families may be separated

Positive Impacts in the Destination Country

• Multi-culturalism

Negative Impacts in the Destination Country

• Migrants more likely to have jobs that were dirty, dangerous and difficult

• Racism

Economic Impacts

Remittances• Remittances: money sent back by migrant to their family

in the home community.• In 2008, international remittances = $397 billion

Remittances• Top Remittance Sending Countries: The US, and Western

European Countries • Top Remittance Receiving Countries: India, China, Mexico,

and the Philippines

Positive Impacts in the Country of Origin

• Remittances:–Help alleviate poverty– Spark investment –Cushion the impact of global recession

Negative Impacts in the Country of Origin

• Brain Drain: Due to the fact that international migration is expensive, usually it’s the highly skilled labor force leaving origin country

Positive Impacts in the Destination Country

• Brain Gain: on the receiving end of getting highly skilled and educated labor force

Negative Impacts in the Destination Country

• Increased rates of unemployment • Jobs may go to migrants, especially if they can

be paid less

Political Impacts

Positive Impacts in the Country of Origin

• Living in new country can affect attitudes of what happens in home country.

• Example: the harshest critics of authoritarian governments in the Middle East and Asia are often exiles living in other countries.

Negative Impacts in the Country of Origin

• Loses voting population/loss of political voice

Positive Impacts in the Destination Country

• Immigrants are more likely to vote for parties in the center and left, rather than right (can be both positive a negative depending on perspective)

Negative Impacts in the Destination Country

• Political Tension– Mexican migration to the US (both legal and

illegal)– Militarization of the Mexican Border – Increased Muslim migration has led to fears

(Islamization of Europe)

Environmental Impacts

Positive Impacts in the Country of Origin

• Less pressure on countries resources due to lowered population

Mexican Migrants Risk All…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-baUd7bX08