Introduction
Globally, America is one of the countries in the world that receives the largest number of immigrants. The country has approximately 38.5 million immigrants. The high magnitude of migration has contributed immensely to development. Economically, the country significantly relies on immigrant labor. Immigration has promoted scientific, technological, and industrial development in the country. Most importantly, the population in America would decline in the absence of immigration. Immigrants relocate to America for diverse reasons. This paper discusses economic pressures and immigration policies as some of the most notable factors encouraging immigration.
Economic Factors
There are various economic reasons that continue to influence immigration. The notion that America offers people better employment opportunities has motivated many people to relocate. Indeed, most immigrants relocated to America for reasons associated with labor are motivated by the economic and financial superiority of the country. The trend is exclusively explained by the “microeconomic rational choice theory”, which posits that immigrants make appropriate decisions about the economic benefits of relocating to other countries.
The new economic perspective also suggests that immigrants should not be seen merely as individuals while making immigration decisions to improve their economic status. However, immigrants should be seen as households and communities migrated to other nations because they are attracted by better financial opportunities.
Macroeconomic factors also influence immigration to America. The “push and pull” theory posits that large economic forces are responsible for the high number of immigrants in America. Push factors, such as poverty, small economies, unemployment, and overpopulation in the developing world, hinder individuals’ efforts to escalate their financial status. However, America is seen as a country that has lucrative pull factors including wealth and a well-developed economy.
There are also structural perspectives, which explain immigration. The investments made by America and American people in the developing world create linkages, which facilitate immigration. Furthermore, American firms generate goods that are more competitive in the developing world than local companies. Therefore, many people who lose employment opportunities eventually migrate to other areas to enhance their economic status.
Immigration Policies
The role played by policies in controlling immigration cannot be underestimated. Indicatively, policies regulate the movement of people to other countries. The US has diverse policies, which encourage or restrict immigration. Immigrant admission policies allow certain types of immigrants to enter America from different countries. Indeed, America has received many immigrants in the country through suitable admission policies.
The Green Card program is one of the permanent admission policies that have enabled many immigrants to relocate their families. It is noteworthy to recognize that other policies also allow immigrants to enter the country in order to reunite with their families, seek employment, or humanitarian assistance.
After the 9/11 attack, the country has significantly restructured immigration regulations. Legislations have been introduced in a way that makes it harder for immigrants to enter America as asylum seekers or students. The Patriot Act permitted the government to escalate the monitoring and surveillance of immigrants. The Act has enabled America to track terrorists easily. It is most important to mention that some of the policies have not hindered immigrants to enter the country.
Indeed, Obama’s administration recently directed relevant authorities to consider the children born by immigrant parents for different activities of national importance. This is a clear indication that US immigration policies are still one of the major factors that encourage immigration.
Conclusion
International immigration takes place because of different reasons, such as economic pressures; social networks, and connections between migrant of sending and receiving countries; immigrant admissions and immigration control policies; and cultural perceptions.