Causes of International Migration: Why People Migrate

Question 1

Which countries receive the most international migrants and which ones send the most?

Answer 1

Send: 1. India, 2. Mexico
Receive: United States

Question 2

How has U.S. immigration changed in terms of its size and diversity over time?

Answer 2

• until 1970 many migrants came from Europe, then we see a switch to N. & S. America, and Asia as dominant regions in 1970-2010
• increase in the foreign born US population has increased significantly (4.7 in 1970 to 15.5 in 2024)

Question 3

What are key macro and micro forces that drive international migration?

Answer 3

macro: push factors & pull factors, political, demographic, economic, social, environmental

micro: personal/household characteristics, intervening obstacles, facilitators

Question 4

Can you describe the drivers, challenges, and opportunities that shaped the decisions and migration experience of Stacey Rodgers coming from Australia?

Answer 4

pull: marriage

challenges: law degree not being recognized, lack of community

Question 5

What do migrant experiences in the Darien Gap tell us about immigration push-pull factors, and about the varied costs of crossing borders in search of a better life?

Answer 5

push: lack of economic prospect, prosecution, family connections

pull: promise of “American dream”

More $ = safer route

Question 6

How does climate change connect with international migration?

Answer 6

climate change can be a push factor in both immediate ways (ex. natural disaster) and gradual (ex. drought leading to less economic opportunities). Hard to measure exact number, because people are less likely to attribute their circumstances to climate change