Immigration and immigrants

April 2010
702
Amideast

Conducted by:
Abdul karem

Supervised by:
TR: Ahmed Khalil
Table of Contents: page

Introduction III

Chapter I: pros and cons of immigration 1

1. Pros of immigration 2
2. Cons of immigration 3
3. Arguments about Pros & cons of immigration 5

Chapter II: causes and effects of immigration and immigrants 6

1. Causes of immigration 7
2. Effects of immigration 8
3. Immigration Facts and Figures 9

Chapter III: Immigrants Life Style in the Host Countries 11

1. Immigrants and Health care 12

2. School Programs for Migrant Students 14
3. Theories PAGE#
4. Arguments PAGE#

Chapter IV:
Conclusion PAGE#
All References PAGE#
 I

DEDICATION
I dedicate this research to all my friends in my home town and in Amideast.
 II

Introduction

The global financial crisis is one of the main reasons for immigration to other developed countries. In
this research findings from a variety of sources, such as articles about pros & cons of immigration, and
discussions from different articles would be found. In addition to the causes and effects of immigration
moreover arguments and figures on immigrants life style, educational statues well be presented. Forth
more, the history of immigration and many statistics, figures, and facts from all around the world will be
introduced to show that immigration can bring more benefits than the cons.

This research presents and substantiates the movement of migrants to the major immigrant receiving
regions of the world such as U.S and UK. In addition it counters the widely held public perception,
immigrants overwhelmingly are choosing to stay put in their host countries rather than returning to their
motherland. Despite the obstacles they face i.e. high unemployment rate in the host country. Though that
payment has dropped globally and amid the sharp downturn for the past three years, they remain an
important stable source of income for the host countries as other financial streams.

III
 Chapter I
Pros and Cons of Immigration
 1

Pros of Immigration

At times, immigration becomes a person's need. In case of personal reasons such as shifting a
family, in case of a marriage with someone staying abroad also in case of family needs to move to
another nation, a person is forced to move out of the country. The immigration laws that facilitate
the migration of people between the two countries are great help in such cases.
Immigration leads to an exchange of cultural values. It results in an exchange of knowledge and
expertise between two nations. Immigration serves as an opportunity to interact with people of
other countries. It gives opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together and
share their views. Also Immigration brings in new opportunities for the people of different
countries by exposing them to different nations and atmospheres of another country or nation that
may be very different from one's in motherland.

Furthermore Immigration has resulted in gifting the knowledge of one nation to another, these
results in the creation of new fields of education and newer career opportunities. In addition to the
privies pro’s Immigration also resulted in an open global market, in which it gives a global
perspective to the social and economic growth of society. As a result it helped widening the
horizons of the nation development.

2
 Cons of Immigration

Crowding is one of the basic disadvantages of immigration. The immigrant’s move from one
country to another in which it leads to Population explosion in the host nation or country. Also it
implies an excessive use of the resources of the host nation that may lead to an imbalance of
resources in the host country. Also Immigrants may bring in diseases that spread in their
motherland. For example, Pathogens like viruses and certain serious infections such asH1N1 that
has a chance of being transferred between countries through the new immigrants. 1As a result,
AIDS reportedly was transferred to the United States in 1969 through one infected immigrant from
Haiti.
Those opposing immigration argue that the jobs and the wealth of a nation are its property and
that allowing immigration implies the distribution of this property among the non-natives. In
addition Immigration implies the distribution of a nation's wealth to those who do not have a right
on it. Which costs incurred in the provision of resources such as education and health facilities to
the immigrants are a burden on the host nation that hosts immigrants in large numbers every year.
For example, 2UK government estimated that approximately 1,500 migrants arrived to live in the
UK every day during 2005. The same figures suggest that 185,000 more people immigrated into the
UK than emigrated to any other country in the world, a net population gain of 500 per day. The
total for those arriving was lower than in 2004's records, but continues to grow in big numbers.
Also Critics say that the economic growth brought about by immigration is nullified by the costs
that the nation's government has to bear in providing the immigrants with the resources. Also less
educated immigrants are believed to increase theft, violence and other crimes in the host nation.
The different kinds of people that migrate across national boundaries may put the host nation

1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_in_the_United_States

2
UK immigration department, 21 November 2006

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_11_21/uk/2-year_immigration_statistics.htm

3
security to risk. Furthermore Illegal immigration that has emerged in some parts of the world has
proven being a curse to the host nation economy and its social welfare and peace. Also critics
oppose immigration on grounds on brain drain that results from it.

What some call an exchange of expertise between host nations and non-host nations. As a result
drain of knowledge from one country to another is seen when a nation loses its smart, talents, and
gifted people to another nation. A poor country might end up giving up its educated minority to
other richer countries, which results of suffering from expert’s loss.

4
 Arguments for and against immigration

Some of the most intelligent and ambitious individuals argue that immigration to another country
or developed nation is the best solution for talented, gifted individuals, who are unsatisfied with
their mother country immigrate for example to America or United Kingdom in which both countries
offer the limitless opportunities that few other countries offer. Where gifted individuals can start
their own business, learn a high-tech career, become a movie star, or even publish a best-selling
novel. While other people in other countries seek the same things we do: wealth, fame, and the
feeling of making a difference in our lives. The US and the UK offers endless ways for a "nobody" to
become great and successful. Many countries of the world limit educational opportunities, and
killing entrepreneurship, and prevent individuals from reaching the rewards of their hard work.
Consequently, such individuals often immigrate to other developed countries such as US & UK in
goal of seeking better life.

While others argue that more immigrants means more opportunity for terrorists, drug dealers, and
other criminals to enter the country. 3For example one of my interviewed said “the US discovered
many of the terrorists on 9/11 came to the country legally. Also they said that any DEA employ will
tell you that most illegal drugs can be traced to Central or South America were most Latino
immigrants came from. Also any additional opportunity to enter the country only increases the
chances for terrorists, drug dealers and once these people are in, the host nation is open society
allows them practically free reign to wreak havoc and terror upon the hosting land.”

3
Survey Q1.what do you think about immigration in general?
5
However other people 3say that immigration increases the diversity and expands the culture of the
host country. No country in the world has the diversity of races, religions, languages, and a culture
like USA does. America is called the great "melting pot" because they bring together all sorts of
people around the world from Indians to Italians to Arabs and Jewish. Also Diversity brings more
tolerance for people that are on the surface. Furthermore it introduces new ideas, new
perspectives, and new music in addition to new meals, different customs, and new forms of
entertainment, diverse strengths and skills.

Chapter II
Causes and effects of immigration
 6

Causes of Immigration and Migration

The causes of migration are different but are almost always linked to a combination of Circumstances in
the motherland country, such as I mention above the lack of social economical opportunities, and the
perception of opportunity in the receiving country. Also widening the gap between poor and rich countries
is one of the main factors causing migration flows. People try to escape a deteriorating social-economical
situation where they have meager possibilities to support themselves and their families. 4The Migration
Plan of Action addresses a range of vulnerabilities stemming from the movement of people across borders.
Its focus is, in accordance with the Fundamental Principles, on the most vulnerable and those in the
greatest and most urgent need of protection and assistance among those international migrants who
cannot support themselves, or for whatever reason choose not to, the provisions of the 1951 United
Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. International migration is
neither a new phenomenon, nor is it in itself a crisis or a disaster. On the contrary, migration occurs in
response to specific situations in both sending and receiving countries and gives all countries an
opportunity for enhancing cultural diversity, establishing ties among peoples and contributing for peace.

In addition, there exists the potential for a mutually beneficial relationship between these countries via
the labor market rapidly ageing wealthy countries need a labor force, which can only be supplied by
immigrants from other countries. Nevertheless, international migration currently occurs within a
framework and under conditions which expose many international migrants to deception, exploitation,
vulnerability, discrimination, xenophobia, resulting from social and other conditions which cause
migration, the manner in which migration flows are managed, and the situation of the migrant in the
receiving country.5 European Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies had taken action internally, through
addressing the diversity issue, and externally, through its service delivery and advocacy, to ameliorate the
conditions faced by international migrants and those made vulnerable by migration at all stages of the
migration process.

4
Rev. Thomas Smith, The Root Causes of Immigration, June 2006 O.F.M. Conv.
Link: http://www.ccky.org/Pastoral%20Resources/Immigration%20Series/7%20-%20Root%20Causes%20of%20Immigration.pdf
5
Unknown author, Migration and Europe: European Red Cross perspective, 7 March 2008
Link: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/news/speech08/lh070308.asp
7
 Effects of immigration
As an effect of high rate of immigrants from different nations all around the world good and bad
effects can be clearly seen now from different aspect of life. For example the host countries
economy and education filed in addition to the employment filed. Because of the enormous flow of
immigrants from different nations seeking for better life. For example USA is considered one of the
multiple cultural nations on earth if you look in to its citizens you would find Indians, Arabs, Jewish,
and many other communities more than you would find original Americans and because of those
immigrants some people call America “multiple-pot”.

As a result it leads to many Relational problems and political disagreements. Also new arrived
immigrant proved good example of their homeland country like their country’s background and its
culture, food, and religion. However their also a bad side effect of hosting immigrants from
different nations i.e. crime rate, terrorism, diseases and the most important the home land citizens
loss their jobs to the new arrived immigrants. Because of the cheap cost of their labor force, this
leads to raising unemployment rate among native individuals.
6
Steven Camarota wrote in his article that the director of the Center of Immigration Studies
conducted a research on immigration in the U.S., which favors tighter immigration controls, warns
that even if immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, their children and grandchildren may be
more likely to end up on the wrong side of the law. He points out that U.S. Department of Justice
statistics show that Latino make up 20% of state and Federal prison populations in 2005, a rise of
43% since 1990. At that rate, one in every six Latino males born in the U.S. today can expect to be
imprisoned during his lifetime more than double the rate for non Latino whites, but lower than that
of African-Americans of the same age. That means the children and grandchildren of immigrants
are committing a lot of crime, making this a long term problem for the next generation in the
upcoming future.

6
Kathleen Kingsbury, “Immigration: no Correlation with Crime.” Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1717575,00.html#ixzz0mJRrqLE1

8
 Immigration Facts and Figures

7
In 2004, the Census Bureau estimated that 34 million of the total U.S. population is foreign born,
which represents 12 percent of the total population and is the highest percentage in 70 years. In
the past three years, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Citizenship and Immigration
Services has admitted approximately one million lawful immigrants into the United States and
naturalized approximately 500,000. Also Immigrants are a substantial and growing segment of the
U.S. labor force. In 2004, more than 21 million workers one in seven workers were foreign born,
and half had arrived since 1990.8 Almost 40 percent of foreign born workers were from Mexico and
Central America Latino’s, and 25 percent were from Asia, including the Philippines, India, China,
Vietnam, and Korea In terms of basic skills, more than 40 percent of non citizens have less than a
high school education. However, 12.5 percent of immigrants have master's degrees. Educational
attainment determines the rate of immigrants' integration into their communities and role they
assume in the U.S. workforce. Our labor force rewards education as it is the most significant factor
for success in the workforce.

Among new immigrants (those arrived up to two years ago), the proportion of persons with degrees is
particularly high (46%) and the proportion of persons with only secondary schooling particularly low
(48%), compared to the UK-born population. Two-thirds of the UK-born population has only
completed secondary school while 17% have a degree, Labor Force Survey data suggest. That 51% of
all migrants have secondary school qualifications and 37% have degrees.

Global estimates

7
Luke J. Larsen, “U.S. Census Bureau: The Foreign-Born Population in the United States: 2003.” August 2004.

8
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, “The Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Market, Nov. 2005.” November 2005.
CBO Paper: The Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Market, Nov. 2005)
9
There are 214 million estimated international migrants in the world today. Also Migrants
comprise 3.1 per cent of the global population.9
The number of the migrants worldwide would constitute the fifth most populous country in the
world.10
In 2008, remittance flows are estimated at USD 444 billion worldwide, USD 338 billion of which
went to developing countries.11
There are roughly 20 to 30 million unauthorized migrants worldwide, comprising around 10 to 15
per cent of the world's immigrant stock.12
In 2008, there were 26 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in at least 52 countries as a
result of conflict.13
In 2008, the global number of refugees reached an estimated 15.2 million persons.14

9
United Nations' Trends in Total Migrant Stock: The 2008 Revision, http://esa.un.org/migration
10
US Census Bureau, International Database - Country Rankings, http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/ranks.php
11
World Bank's Migration and Development Brief 11 (November 3, 2009): Migration and Remittance Trends 2009,
http://go.worldbank.org/5YMRR0VW80
12
International Labour Organization's Towards a Fair Deal for Migrant Workers in the Global Economy,
http://www.ilo.org/global/Themes/Labour_migration/lang--en/docName--KD00096/index.htm
13
Norwegian Refugee Council – Internal Displacement Monitoring Center's Internal Displacement: Global Overview of Trends and
Developments in 2008, http://www.internal-displacement.org
14
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ 2008 Global Trends: Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Returnees, Internally Displaced and
Stateless Persons, http://www.unhcr.org/statistics
10
 Chapter III
Immigrants Life Style in the Host
Countries
 11

Immigrants and Health Care

The recent passage of Proposition 187 in U.S. California, which eliminated all public services except
emergency health care for undocumented immigrants, is a good example of this. Concerns about
the added burden of care and the draining of already-depleted resources stem from a general
assumption that immigrants negatively affect the health and welfare of the host society. Before we
can accept this assumption, we must closely examine current health and demographical trends
among the largest and most recently arrived individuals of immigrants, namely, those from Latin
America and Asia.

If we were to look into a crystal ball at the future U.S. population, the picture would look similar to
that in California today. 15California is the leading state of residence for authorized and
unauthorized immigrant populations. Demographic experts16 have projected that by the year 2030
only one third of all children in California will be of European descent.

Figures from the Census Bureau17 confirm that since 1970 only 2.7% of the 15 million immigrants
who came to the United States were European. The proportion of total foreign-born individuals
from Latin America and Asia increased from less than 1.5% each in 1900 to 43% and 25%,
respectively, in 1990. The estimated total undocumented immigrant population residing in the
United States was 3.4 million in 1992 and growing at a rate of about 300 000 per year, with Mexico,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Canada, Poland, and the Philippines the leading countries of immigrants 18.
This rapid increase in the proportion of immigrants from Latin America and Asia means that the
future of the United States will largely be in the hands of their children. For the United States to
survive with health, their society must address the needs of that population now.

According to several studies documenting health status indicators, recent immigrants fare better
than the U.S. born population in many health categories. Recent studies 19 in Los Angeles County
found that Asian and Latin American immigrant populations have lower infant mortality rates and
better birth outcomes than the U.S. born population. According to a Los Angeles County vital
15
. 11US Department of Commerce. We, the American foreign born. Washington, DC: Bureau of the Census; 1993; no. 350-631.
16
Hayes-Bautista D, Schink W, Chapa J. The Burden of Support. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press

17

18
The Latino Coalition for a New Los Angeles/Latino Futures Research Group. Latinos and the future of Los Angeles—A guide to the
twenty first century. 1993.

19
Armstrong B, Schocken M. Healthy beginnings healthy babies—Los Angeles County parental needs assessment. Los Angeles: March of
Dimes and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. 1994.
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Vital statistics 1992. Summary report on births, deaths, and fetal deaths. Data
Collection and Analysis Unit. Los Angeles County; May 1994.
12
statistics report, Latin American and Asian populations have much higher life expectancies and
lower age-adjusted mortality rates than other major groups in the U.S.

However there is some obstacles which they face. One of the obstacles is the features of the health
care system that many immigrants face is the lack of access to care of adequate quality. This lack of
access, coupled with wide exposure to unhealthy immigrants lifestyles that are linked to costly
chronic conditions. The extent to which the health of recent immigrants declines over time reflects
their risk for poverty, which, in turn, imposes ominous barriers to adequate health care. Improving
access to health care and, in particular, to preventive health care, will substantially improve the
health status of all those afflicted individuals by poverty.
Moreover health care has costs. In a recent study 20completed by Los Angeles County, the net cost
to the County for providing health care to immigrants was approximately $350 million per year,
with undocumented immigrants accounting for half of the costs. In short, immigrants used more
services than were paid for their contributions in taxes and other revenues to the County. Thus, it
appears that immigrants are simply falling into a deficit pattern already prevalent among the poor
of Los Angeles community. Given the types of chronic health problems inherent in the United
States, the future costs will grow to even more astounding levels.

However it is important to remember the cost of not providing services. Although this cost can be
registered in dollars, it is better reflected in the immeasurable value given to human life. It is a
ethical question, where we choose to share our resources which well determines our destiny. Also
we must choose to allocate our resources to provide a healthy life for each resident of this country.
One of the wisest uses of our resources is increased investment in our public health systems, which
better prepares us for better healthier future for us and our children.

In brief I believe clearly that immigration has created many economical and social challenges for
our future. To ensure the health condition of immigrant populations, we need to improve the
health care system and overcome the imposing influence of poverty on health by ensuring
universal access to the health care system. We need to recognize that acculturation toward the
host society is not entirely a gain for health and that encouraging certain cultural values that
influence healthy behaviors should be a strategy of large community programs. The California
experience should get particular attention because it may serve as a model for future health care
strategies among big immigrant populations. The real promise of reform in health care is to provide
access for all the country's residents and thereby to reduce the eventual need for the costly
treatment of disease.

20
Moreno-Evans M. Impact of undocumented persons and other immigrants on costs, revenues and services in Los Angeles County. Report
prepared for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. 6 November 1992; Los Angeles, California.
13
 School Programs for Migrant Students
School services for migrant students start with their identification or recruitment. Identification is the
process by which children already enrolled in school are identified by staff as migratory, and
therefore eligible for supplementary services. Recruitment refers to the process of bringing no
enrolled school-age migrant children into the school system. Migrant specialists hired by the school
district or state usually perform student recruitment. Recruiters also act as ambassadors, welcoming
students into the school system and serving as a conduit of information between migrant parents and
schools.

Once a migrant student is enrolled, the school must determine if the regular school program will be
sufficient, or if additional services are required. In many cases formal assessments must be
administered to determine language proficiency, grade-level placement, and the need for special
education services. School staff, or a migrant liaison, will communicate with the family about the
child's educational and health history. If the students' prior school and medical records are available,
this greatly expedites the placement process and avoids needless educational delays and
interruptions. For secondary students, the consequences of delayed placement can be particularly
high, as they may fail to accrue the credits needed for graduation.

In states and districts with a predictably high migrant population, schools may offer well-coordinated
programs and services that target their specific needs. In other areas, service coordination and
academic programs may be deficient or lacking entirely. Students migrating during the academic year
might experience both environments. Quality programs for migrant students generally include a
number of features to help them overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers,
social isolation, and health-related problems. These features include:

 Enhanced reading and math instruction.

 English as a Second Language (ESL) and/or bilingual instruction.
 Tutoring.
 Classroom aides.
 Summer programs.
 Guidance and counseling.
 Parent outreach.
 Social work.
 Clothing.
 Nutrition.
 Transportation.

14
Transitional centers, sometimes called Newcomer Centers, may exist in districts with high numbers of
immigrant and migrant students. Aimed at secondary students, these centers undertake a
comprehensive assessment of incoming student needs and offer specialized classes designed to
facilitate transition to regular classrooms. Most newcomer programs are set apart from the regular
schools and focus on providing intensive English language instruction and developing basic literacy
for students with limited formal schooling. The centers also help students develop study skills, and
they familiarize new students and their families with the schools' expectations and protocols.

Another type of comprehensive program is known as a school wide, or whole-school, program. Rather
than separate students out for specialized instruction, schools with school wide programs have
reformed their entire regular educational program and incorporated a variety of health and other
services to improve achievement for all students. Approximately 20 percent of migrant students are
served in school wide programs.

When the small numbers of migrants or limited resources may prevent the implementation of a
comprehensive program, many schools concentrate available resources on a few of the program
features listed above. Programs may focus on supplementary and remedial instruction, generally in
reading, math, or ESL, through specialized classes either during the school day or after school. Other
schools may rely on bilingual aides to help students keep up in the regular classroom, or on migrant
advocates/liaisons to help migrant families understand and access the services available to them. In
several states most or all of the special educational services for migrant students are provided
through summer educational programs.

15