Immigration

Immigration is the movement of people into another country or region to which they are not native in order to settle there.[1] Immigration is a result of a number of factors, including economic and/or political reasons, family re-unification, natural disasters or the wish to change one's surroundings voluntarily.

Why do people migrate?

People have moved from their home countries for centuries, for all sorts of reasons. Some are drawn to new places by ‘pull ‘ factors, others find it difficult to remain where they are and migrate because of ‘push’ factors. These have contributed to the recent movement of people here but are also the reason why people from here have emigrated to other countries. Over 80 million people in the world have Irish blood; 36.5 million US residents claimed Irish ancestry in 2007. Historically some were transported or sold into slavery or left because of poverty, hunger, persecution, discrimination, civil war, unemployment and, more recently, simply for education and better jobs. Migrant numbers have risen rapidly in the last decade. There are now thought to be over 200 million people in the world who live outside their country of birth.

Pull Factors

Migrants are drawn increasingly to countries such as the UK and Ireland by the following factors:

• Developed countries, or industrialised city areas within countries, draw labour from countries or areas where incomes are lower.

• International transport has never been easier and is cheaper than ever, relative to incomes.

• The telephone and internet make it easier to access information.

• Falling birth rates in developed countries contribute to labour shortages and skills gaps.

• Extra people are required when there is rapid economic expansion.

• People are drawn to stable democracies where human rights and religious freedoms are more likely to be respected.

• Many people in other parts of the world speak English.

• Young people move in order to get better jobs or improve their qualifications, including their language skills.

Push Factors

Negative factors at home add to the reasons why people feel compelled to move.

• Lack of prospects for career advancement

• Poverty and low incomes

• High unemployment rates

• Persecution and poor human rights

• Internal

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