Introduction
Typical migration involves movement of immigrants from certain regions or territories that troubled either by civil wars, hunger among other social problems to seek asylum in territories or territories that have peace, stability and prosperity. Mostly these countries have politically and economically powerful communities. For many years, the United States has experienced an influx of immigrants, who relocate due to varied reasons. For instance, among the major causes of migration to the United States are economic hardships and poverty, social strife, armed conflicts, and political turmoil. The economic disparity between the third world and the developed countries, especially, is a major contributor to migration (Jordan-Bychkov, 2014).
Besides the pull factors, there are also push reasons that cause involuntary migration into the United States of America. These include scarcity of social amenities such as water, food, climate change, religion bias, government harassment, and political exiles (Jordan-Bychkov, 2014). Some issues arising from the migration include problems such as assimilating the immigrants from Americans, social tensions, increase in criminal activity and other social evils such as prostitution as well as the introduction of new cultures into the region.
Refugees from the Horn of Africa: Somali-Americans
The Sudanese and Somalis account for the largest proportion of the African immigrants in the United States. The two are Eastern African countries making the region the second largest population of African-born immigrants in America. The Somalis immigrants now identify themselves as Somali-Americans. Somalia is a country that has had a turbulent past due to its political wrangles and terrorist groupings which has greatly contributed to the creation of a hostile political and economic environment pushing away citizens who seek refugee into neighboring countries like Kenya which hosts the largest Somali Refugee Camp at Dadaab and also into other better placed host continents like America or Europe.
Since the colonial times, the nation-state has experienced divisive politics, coups and civil war. The assassination of Somalia’s president in 1969 Mohammed Said Barre led by a coup overthrew the civilian government. His rule was ridden with multiple inefficiencies such that it elicited a civil war leading to him being overthrown. These clan battles and violence have left Somalia’s infrastructure, and economy handicapped (Barkan, 2013). Consequently, more than a million Somalis have fled to peaceful states in their neighborhood such as Yemen and Kenya among other countries in the Horn of Africa. Similarly the majority of those that enter America go there as refugees. For instance, over 13, 000 Somalis immigrated to the United States in 2004 alone due to the push factors from Somalia. Today, the Somali-born people living in America range from 35,000 to 150,000, with the majority settling in Washington, California, Minnesota and Georgia.
Irish Immigrants
The recent Irish immigrants move to the United States chiefly to flee from the recurring economic crises in Ireland (Lewis, 2013). The situation in their country is characterized by rampant unemployment, poor career prospects and falling salaries and that is why they cross the Atlantic. Evidently, the immigrants compose of the young adults, in their 20s, graduates, and full-time workers. These are all people who are at the peak of their career lives and due to the problems associated with the employment issues in Ireland, they chose to move into better lands. According to a study in 2013, most of the emigrants from Ireland have an education that is higher than average and claim they reason to move into America due to lack of good jobs. Interestingly, some of the Irish communities in the United States had moved twice, to Ireland while the Irish economy was doing better before they retracted when it failed. The highest record of Irish immigrants into the United States had been recorded to be between 2005 and 2010 when they became more than 100,000 (Lewis, 2013). Although the Irish moving into the United States are still many today, thousands are considered to be illegal immigrants. According to the Irish immigration center, more than 50,000 Irish living in America are undocumented (Lewis, 2013). However, the Irish communities living in America have established Irish territories in New York and other states. There are streets in these states where Irish businesses, accents, and cultures are predominant. Fresh Irish Graduates aided by the local Irish network, for instance, have established social gatherings through which they seek jobs (Lewis, 2013).
Italian Immigrants into America
Recently, the Italians movement to the United States has been motivated by natural disasters, unemployment and poverty. Earthquakes, tornados, volcanic eruptions and avalanches are among the natural disasters that cause many deaths in Italy. For instance, between 2009 and 2013, there were a series of these occurrences that left many injured and took the lives of several others. Italians seek for safer zones where they migrate to. Starting a new life in America gives them hope for a better living. While poor education prospects are a concern in Italy, the situation is different in the United States where the educated can thrive both socially and economically (Massey, 2008).
The Chinese immigrant population in America
The United States Census Bureau notes that there were more than 2,000,000 Chinese immigrants in America (Hooper and Batalova, 2015). They account for the third largest immigrant population in the region after Mexicans and the Indians. The Chinese population is distributed in almost all the states of the America the largest proportion has settled in California and New York. Today, San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles host more than 46% of the Chinese immigrants in the United States. According to the Americas Community Surveys (ACS), the Chinese immigrants tend to struggle with English proficiency (Hooper and Batalova, 2015). Only a small part of them spoke English very well as indicated by the questionnaire findings collected by ACS. Although approximately 50% of the Chinese immigrants aged 25 years and above had attained a bachelor’s degree or higher according to the data on 2013, most of them found employment in the civilian labor force (Hooper and Batalova, 2015). Their portion that provided labor in the arts, science, business and management occupations is, however, larger than the populations from another immigrant group employed in these fields. Among the Chinese immigrants in the United Sates, 19% lived in poverty in 2013 (Hooper and Batalova, 2015).
Migration from Mexico to the United States of America
The border that separates Mexico from the United States spans six Mexican states and four US states. The majority of the immigrants have settled in the California and Texas states, which host more than 11,000,000 and 8,000,000 respectively (Jackson, 2000). The males account for the larger proportion as they seek for employment in America and send money back home to their families. Among them, however, many enter the United States illegally and the route they do so is quite risky. Most of the illegal immigrants cross the Rio Grande desert that separates America and Mexico, in journeys that many die.
Hostile conditions in Mexico are arguably the main causes of the Mexico to the United States migration. For instance, there is a high prevalence of crime, rampant unemployment and extreme climate and natural hazards. Due to the illegal drugs trade that is a major issue in the Mexican capitals, there are severe drug-related crimes organized by cartels and other conflicts between the suppliers and the users. This results in many Mexicans fleeing to the United States where there are lower crime rates. There has been an exponential rise in unemployment in Mexico. Most of them try farming in the extreme Mexican temperatures and poor quality land, which is quite a struggle. Consequently, 47% of Mexican families live below the poverty line (Jackson, 2000). To overcome these harsh conditions caused by the high rates of unemployment and poverty, they move to America where they can find better prospects and gain adequate resources to support and maintain reasonable living standards to their families (Jackson, 2000). Additionally, the aridity in Mexico causes water shortages while natural disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanoes and earthquakes destroy or make the place inhabitable. The Mexicans living in the climate and natural hazards danger zones migrate to more secure places such as the United States.
Several issues have surfaced associated with the Mexican immigrants. There has been a rise in the crime rates in the areas that they migrate to. Also, the migrating population consists of the young and the males. Their departure leaves Mexico under crises with the dependent population increasing and leaving a community composed of more women than men. With the most immigrants coming from rural areas of Mexico where they grow food, there is a shortage of farmers to feed the Mexican population. There are social problems that arise from English fluency problems and the use of different languages by the immigrants. More tensions result from the Mexicans taking the menial jobs that create unemployment to Americans who would provide labor for higher wages. Although it has been problematic to assimilate the Mexicans into the American communities, the Mexican culture has become incredibly popular in the region (Jackson, 2000).
Solutions to the Immigrant situation.
However, in the recent past the number of immigrant populations have increased significantly. Some countries remain adamant to opening their borders to refugees for the fear that they may lose control of their major social system or may lead to extra expenses incurred in the accommodation of the immigrant. However, there remains several solutions that can be utilized to avoid this movement.
First, addressing the root cause in the affected countries or regions through regional or international interventions through peace building initiatives or missions will assist either bring to an end to the conflict or stabilize the conflict (Lewis, 2013). Secondly, supporting democracy and civic education as well as strengthening the security forces in countries at risk of post or pre-election wars will assist avoid occurrence of these ugly fights, killings and displacements of masses. Thirdly, institutionalization of control bodies such as the International Criminal Court that ensure justice is offered to victims and punishment to perpetrators will move in stabilizing volatile countries. Fourth, use of physical presence such as border controls, fences and walls can actively keep out illegal immigrants (Barkan, 2013). Five, enacting deportation and immigration amnesty goes along way into controlling the movement of immigrants as well controlling their absorption into the society. Moreover, investing into economies that are unstable such that there is stability and sustenance will tackle the problem of unemployment or insufficient food resources that might otherwise prompt immigrant to move in seeking better living conditions.
Strategies of enabling Immigrants.
Immigrants seeking refuge should be treated humanely and offered enabling profiles to reclaim their livelihoods such that they are able to provide for the needs of their families. One, it would be prudent to register these individuals and give them a special identification document that identifies them to security personnel as well potential employers. Two, they can be taught the dominant language of the host country such that they are in a position to communicate with others (Lewis, 2013). Three, they can be allowed to seek for employment opportunities that will generate income and keep of begging in the streets. Four, they are provided with basic needs such as food, water, clothing and shelter that keeps them healthy. In addition, free medical services are in order to ensure that they are always healthy. Five, they may be given a chance for representation in the key decision making processes such they don’t feel left out. According to Barkan (2012) provision of social amenities and free access to them will be considerate and helpful in restoring peace to the stressed immigrants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in accordance to the UN convention in which countries subscribe to it is wrong to fail to accommodate refugees that flee their countries with genuine reasons. To get to the borders or entry point of these stable countries very many individuals risk their life or even face death. According to Lewis (2013) though there is very high risks associated with immigrations such disease transmission, transfer of cultural weak aspects it is humane to accommodate or provide aid to these individuals. However, it is essential to handle root causes that might cause masses movement by guaranteeing stable democracy, security and protection, food availability through elite farming production, infrastructure and social amenities development, justice systems and peace building initiatives.
References
Barkan, E. R. (2013). Immigrants in American history: Arrival, adaptation, and integration. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO Publishers.
Hooper, K., & Batalova, J. (2015). Chinese Immigrants in the United States | migrationpolicy.org. Retrieved from http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/chinese-immigrants-united-states
Jackson, A. (2000). Mexico to USA Migration. Retrieved from https://geographyas.info/population/mexico-to-usa-migration/
Jordan-Bychkov, T. G. (2014). Jordan's fundamentals of the human mosaic: A thematic approach to cultural geography. New York: W.H. Freeman and Co.
Lewis, A. (2013). America's new Irish immigrants - BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-25360424
Massey, D. S. (2008). New faces in new places: The changing geography of American immigration. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
