International Migration

International migration is an occurrence that happens many times in our society. This is the process in which a person crosses over state or country boundaries and remains in the host area for a minimum length of time. Migration may occur for a multitude of reasons. Many people leave their home countries to search for better economic stability in the host country. Others may leave in order to be reunited with family members who have previously migrated. Still others simply wish to be free of certain political conditions or restrictions in their home country or are striving to receive their education abroad. While there are many different potential systems for categorizing international migrants, one system organizes migrants into categories of distinct groups. These are temporary labor, irregular, illegal or undocumented, highly skilled and business associates, refugees, return migrants, family members and long-term, low-skilled migrants. Migrants can typically also be divided into two large groups which are permanent and temporary.

Permanent migrants normally intent to establish permanent residents in the host or new country and many strive to obtain citizenship in that country. Whether they hold dual citizenship in both countries normally depends on both the home and the host country and their current laws regarding this practice. Temporary migrants typically only intend to stay in the host country for a limited period of time. Students who are studying abroad or workers who only need to migrate until the duration of their work contract or work season is over fall into the temporary migrant category. Whether temporary or permanent, international migration has a profound effect on the society and economy of both the destination or host country and the home country of migrants.

The countries, in which migrants take up residence, whether temporary or permanent, typically fall into four distinct categories. These are traditional settlement countries, European countries which encouraged labor migration after World War II, European countries which receive a wide number of their immigrant populations from former colonies and those countries which formerly were considered to be points of emigration but which have recently emerged as chosen immigrant destinations.

While there are many reasons why international migration may take place, some given reasons for choosing to migrate to another country include poor medical care in the home country, few jobs or opportunities, primitive conditions, political fear, the risk of natural disasters and low chances of finding relationships. Pull factors, or what motivates migrants to choose a host country include job opportunities, better living standards, education, medical care, family links and lower crime rates.