Why Immigrants Migrate To The United States

Why Immigrants Immigrate To United States 1why Immigra

Immigration to the United States has been a significant phenomenon throughout the country's history, driven by a variety of factors. The United States has long been regarded as a nation built on the ideals of liberty, equality, and opportunity, attracting individuals from around the world seeking better lives. People immigrate to the United States primarily to improve their quality of life, find employment, or escape adverse conditions in their home countries.

The reasons for immigration are multifaceted. Some migrate due to economic hardship, lack of job opportunities, or political instability. Others are motivated by the pursuit of personal ambition and the desire for social mobility. The process of moving from one's familiar environment to an unfamiliar one can be psychologically and emotionally traumatic, especially considering the loss of physical possessions, social ties, and familiarity with one's environment. Such transitions involve leaving behind loved ones and a well-known non-human environment, creating a profound environmental and psychological shift.

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The primary motivation for many immigrants coming to the United States is economic opportunity. According to John R. Commons (2007), motives for labor migration are chiefly driven by necessity and ambition. Necessity refers to the basic needs for food, shelter, and security—a psychological drive to meet the necessities of life. Ambition, on the other hand, encompasses the desire for self-improvement, better living conditions, and the pursuit of a higher social status. These motivations are not mutually exclusive; they often act together, compelling individuals to emigrate in search of a more prosperous life.

Economic factors are reinforced by labor market dynamics, where immigrant workers tend to occupy a broad spectrum of occupations in the United States. In 2011, approximately 23.3 million employed foreign-born individuals worked across various sectors. A significant proportion held management, professional, and related occupations (29%), reflecting highly skilled labor. However, many immigrants are also employed in service jobs (26%), sales, office roles (18%), production, transportation, and material moving occupations (15%), as well as natural resources, construction, and maintenance roles (13%) (Britz & Batalova, 2013). This diverse employment distribution showcases the essential role immigrants play in various sectors of the U.S. economy, often filling positions that are crucial yet undervalued.

Besides economic reasons, geographic and demographic factors significantly influence migration patterns. Data from 2011 indicates that certain counties experienced high immigrant populations, with Miami-Dade County, Florida, leading at 52%, followed by Queens County, New York, at 48%, and other counties such as Hudson County, NJ; Kings County, NY; and several counties in California like San Francisco, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, and San Mateo, demonstrating concentrated immigrant settlements (Britz & Batalova, 2013). These areas attract immigrants due to existing immigrant communities, job opportunities, and established support networks.

The decision to migrate also involves considerations of personal ambition. Commons (2007) notes that ambition drives individuals to seek improved life prospects, including better education, health services, and social mobility. This motivation aligns with the broader American narrative of the "American Dream," where success and prosperity are attainable through hard work and perseverance. Many immigrants aspire to ascend socially and economically, viewing migration as a pathway to achieving personal and familial goals.

Furthermore, the process of migration entails emotional and environmental adjustments. Moving away from one's country or region results in a loss of familiar surroundings, social ties, and environmental cues that define a person's daily life. This dislocation can cause stress and cultural dissonance, especially for those migrating at a young age or with limited resources for adaptation. The loss of physical objects, social networks, and familiar landscapes accentuates the trauma associated with migration, although these challenges are often outweighed by the hopes for a better future.

References

• Britz, J. J., & Batalova, J. (2013). Frequently requested statistics on immigrants and immigrations. Migration Policy Institute.
• Commons, J. R. (2007). Principles of labor economics. Macmillan.
• U.S. Census Bureau. (2012). American Community Survey, 2011.
• Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. G. (2006). Immigrant America: A portrait. University of California Press.
• Mehta, S. (2009). The New Immigrant Volunteers and the Politics of Citizenship. Russell Sage Foundation.
• Suárez-Orozco, C., & Qin, D. B. (2006). Globalization, immigration, and education: Making lives. University of California Press.
• Chiswick, B. R., & Miller, P. W. (2009). The economics of immigrant skills accumulation. International handbook on the economics of education, 373-390.
• Dustmann, C., & Frattini, T. (2014). The fiscal effects of immigration to the UK. The Economic Journal, 124(580), F593-F643.
• Frey, W. H. (2018). Diversity explosion: How multiculturalism is shaping the United States. Brookings Institution Press.
• Kaplan, R. (2010). The Myth of the Melting Pot: A Multicultural Perspective. Journal of American Studies, 44(3), 557-568.