Migration is a process that allows people to relocate either internally or to another country. The concept correlates with certain economic, political, and social phenomena that ultimately create circumstances in which people move from one place to another. While migration is a complex topic illustrating the interconnection between different systems and processes within a region, specific patterns refer to the current preferences, impacts, and causes of the phenomenon. It is certain that a broad perspective is needed to understand the concept and identify the pattern exemplified through individuals relocating. However, it is also crucial to refer to the effects of such processes, including the overview of local communities, the impact on the economy, and the overall development or lack thereof when multiple individuals move to an area. In this paper, migration will be assessed from the perspective of environments, migrants, origins, and outcomes.
Global Migration Patterns
While the dialogue on migration has been especially prominent in the last decade, individuals have relocated to new areas for centuries. An example is the mass migration of refugees during WWII caused by the threat of Nazi Germany imposed on specific minorities. However, despite the fact that mass media portrays migration as especially critical at present times, researchers highlight that a major influx of immigrants is not an issue currently. Namely, relevant sources suggest that the migration rate in the last 70 years has remained around 3% with slight fluctuations (Haas et al., 2019). However, these fluctuations can be attributed to the growing world population and the better documentation techniques and border control policies. Thus, a pattern in the increasing rate of migrants has not been observed. There are, however, specific common determinants when it comes to countries where people tend to migrate more often. Namely, the US and the European countries, Germany and UK, have been the locations preferred by immigrants in the last decades (Noja et al., 2018). The pattern is facilitated by the geographical location of the countries as well as the economic opportunities individuals have when relocating. Thus, immigrants from certain countries on the African continent are geographically closer to Europe, where they tend to relocate because of the political and economic situation in their native countries. On the other hand, the US is geographically closer to the continent of South America, facilitating people to seek higher incomes or escape certain circumstances such as violence and harsh political regimes in their countries.
Categorization
Migration can be categorized based on multiple circumstances, including migrants themselves and the environments from which they chose to relocate. In terms of individuals who migrate, they can be categorized into three major categories: immigrants, emigrants, and refugees. Thus, there are people who enter a country, leave the country, and relocate because of the unsafety in their native region or country. Moreover, migrants can be classified based on gender and age. Statistically, men migrate more often compared to women, and those relocating are of working age (Birchall, 2016). Minors and seniors migrate less often and are usually accompanying parents or children who are of age to work.
Environments can also be classified based on the circumstances that have impacted people’s decisions to move. Migration may be impacted by wars and conflicts, poverty, a lack of opportunities for education, natural disasters, and undemocratic political systems. Such classifications of environments exemplify the various causes of emigration, portraying the circumstances in which people seek safety and opportunities for development in other areas. Thus, environments in which individuals are endangered, unsupported, and targeted for political ideologies are often subject to mass emigration.
Immigration and Development
Immigration, while often illustrated as a negative factor, facilitates development. According to researchers, the demand for cheap labor is a factor that attracts migrants (Jacobson, 2005). They can facilitate the development of the job market, increase the country’s economic growth by paying taxes and spending their wages and contribute to a better economic situation in their native countries by sending a part of their income to family members. Moreover, migrants who work in international organizations bring a new perspective to the corporate model, facilitating revenue (Kunczer et al., 2019). These factors illustrate that immigration and development are interconnected.
Immigration and Social Services
Immigration has certain implications on social services due to the vulnerable position of the individuals relocating to a new country. Researchers specifically mention the public’s negative overview of foreigners moving to their areas due to a perceived shortage of jobs (Gerber, 2011). Thus, social services are to assist individuals in regards to resources and information on how to legally access healthcare, social assistance, housing, and jobs. This can minimize labor injustice, poverty, and health challenges correlating with the vulnerable communities of migrants.
Vulnerable Individuals
Children are certainly the most vulnerable individuals in the immigration process. Due to the convoluted process, minors cannot decide where to relocate and are often separated from their parents. This may be linked to the undocumented status, the inability to take minors to another country when immigrating, and the conditions in which migrants operate during the initial stage. A lack of resources, job inequality, and harmful societal overview impact children and make them vulnerable to adverse outcomes.
Conclusion
Migration is a complex topic facilitated by political, economic, natural, or social issues individuals encounter in their native countries. While people are often apprehensive when it comes to immigrants, studies show they facilitate development and economic growth. However, the multiple negative circumstances encountered by migrants put them at risk for injustice, discrimination, and poverty. This is especially highlighted in children impacted by the migration of their parents. Social services are to assist the vulnerable immigrants since the process of migration is not only beneficial for the people relocating but also for the countries in which they move.
References
Birchall, J. (2016). Gender, age and Migration. Institute of Development Studies. Web.
Gerber, D. A. (2011). American immigration: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press, Inc.
Haas, H., Czaika, M., Flahaux, M. L., Mahendra, E., Natter, K., Vezzoli, S., & Villares‐Varela, M. (2019). International migration: Trends, determinants, and policy effects. Population and Development Review, 45(4), 885–922. Web.
Jacobson, M. F. (2005). Barbarian virtues: The United States encounters foreign peoples at home and abroad, 1876-1917. W. Ross MacDonald School, Resource Services Library.
Kunczer, V., Lindner, T., & Puck, J. (2019). Benefitting from immigration: The value of immigrants’ country knowledge for firm internationalization. Journal of International Business Policy, 2(4), 356–375. Web.
Noja, G., Cristea, S., Yüksel, A., Pânzaru, C., & Drăcea, R. (2018). Migrants’ role in enhancing the economic development of host countries: Empirical evidence from Europe.Sustainability, 10(3), 894. Web.