MIGRATION IN NORTH AMERICA

Emigrate vs. Immigrate Emigrate – to

leave one’s home country

Immigrate – to move into a new country

History of Immigration First Wave - Late 1700s early 1800s,

immigrants from western Europe came to the newly formed United States to escape hunger, poverty, and religious persecution

History of Immigration Second Wave – In

the late 1800s many Eastern and Southern European immigrants came to the US to escape war, religious persecution, and poverty/hunger

History of Immigration Third Wave – Began in the 1960s and

continues today. Most come from Latin America and Asia and were escaping war, poverty, or were seeking better economic opportunities

Political Push Factors Cuba United States –

Many Cubans have fled the communist government that was established by Fidel Castro in the 1950s.

Freedom of speech and economic opportunities have been rare

Identify another Political Push factor

Environmental Push Factors Ireland United States –

In the 1840s a fungus killed most of Ireland’s potato crop sending 1.5 million Irish to the US

Identify another Environmental Push Factor

Economic Push Factor Mexico United

States – Many Mexican immigrants have immigrated into the US in search of better economic opportunities

(Most common push factor for US immigrants)

Family Pull Factors Some immigrants simply wish to reunite

a divided family

Education Pull Factors Some immigrants seek better education

when coming to the US

Effects of Immigration?

Foreign Workers US has always depended on foreign

workers for low skill labor (Western European workers built bridges and building in NY, Chinese laborers built most of the western railroads)

Foreign Workers Recently the US has seen highly skilled

laborers enter the country (Doctors from India)

Brain Drain...

Tax Burden Many immigrants have avoided paying

income taxes which effects highly populated areas the most (use of parks, roads, schools)

Melting Pot Different cultures introduce a variety of

traditions, food, dance, language, religion, into the US

Example?