Historians who study immigration patterns discuss push and pull factors of immigration. Push factors make people leave their country of origin; pull factors draw people to a particular country.
What are the push and/or pull factors that make people leave their country and come to the U.S.?
For instance, my was pushed out of Germany in the 1880s by economic struggle and political turmoil(meaning, war). They were drawn to the U.S. because of the promise of a better life. It was more struggle than they had imagined since so many people in the U.S. hated Germans at that time.
Discuss current push and pull factors. OR, discuss your experience of immigration. OR, discuss anything that comes to mind when you think about this vast and complex subject!
I believe the push and pull factors that make people leave their country to come to the U.S. have a big part to do with the lack of jobs in other places. For instance, Mexico is a great example of so many legal and illegal immigrants who leave Mexico because there are no jobs available there. If there are jobs available at all in Mexico, most of the time the pay is nowhere near enough to support a family. Another push and pull factor which draws people to leave their homes to come to the U.S. also has to do with health issues. In developing countries such as Africa or Singapore, their risk for diseases is much higher than here in the U.S. Families strive to come to the U.S. to get away from disease and poverty, along with trying to give their children better opportunity for a good education. It is so easy to be drawn to the U.S. because next to other countries we have a high success right in medicine, cures for diseases, better opportunity for education, and better opportunity for a living. More jobs in the U.S. mean for a smaller unemployment rate. More jobs also mean keeping people off the streets and away from getting into bad things with bad people. In my own family, I know of some family members who were living in Mexico, but were not able to work or feed their families, so they came to the U.S. The decision for my family to leave Mexico has benefited them tremendously. Their children have been exposed to a better education, and they have been able to find work to support their families.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how I would of never thought about this side of the subject. Shows where our heart and mind are.
DeleteI liked the reference to Mexico, that is exactly what I thought of when I read the question.
DeleteI think your point about medicine and sickness was insightful. The medical benefits we have are an improvement over other countries. An example would be the immunization policy lessens the risk of common diseases that are in other countries. However, the people coming into this country might be more susceptible to diseases because they are in a new environment.
DeleteLorinda,
DeleteGreat opening sentence, stating that "push and pull factors that make migrate to the U.S. deals largely with the lack of jobs in their home countries."
This phrase alone is one of the main reasons people leave their countries, the lack of earnings in a household can destroy a family. It is quite sad that money plays such a key factor in one's living but it is extremely necessary.
Equally important, I appreciate you bringing up "health concerns" in countries like Singapore or Africa. The ironic part about developing countries is that many of these places have the capacity to feed the people who are hungry, because they are abundant in natural resources that are worth millions of dollars. I would assume that people do not only migrate to the United States because of work, but maybe because of the way governments are established in their home countries.
I enjoyed every line of your post.
- Felix
Lorinda,
DeleteI enjoyed reading what you had to write, for some reason healthcare issues never crossed my mind as a push and pull factor. It does make a lot of sense for people in undeveloped countries to want to come to the U.S for the health benefits. I also agree with you in your point that Mexican immigrants are pulled to the U.S in search for jobs and a mean to better support their families. However in the present, I’m not sure how many jobs are available for immigrants with the current unemployment rate in the U.S, and the many U.S citizens who cannot find jobs themselves.
Great response Lorinda! I agree with you in your point that Mexican immigrants come to the U.S. in search of a better job because what they earn here is doubled the amount they earn in Mexico.
Deleteyou make some really good points. I agree that some of the main reasons people come to the US is for the jobs. I know that if I were in another country other than the US I would want to come here to for opportunity
DeleteWe'll my entire family was pushed to the unites states due to the economy of Mexico. They had bad loving conditions, no help to the need, very unhealthy, and a life of survival was how they lived. In the u.s. we are in a place of living life once we are born to death. Obviously that's the better way so the u.s. pulled them all in. Sadly, one of ny uncles did get deported to Mexico because was around the wrong friends and was sent to jail. According to the law, that ment he abused the right to be here, so he had to leAve this good life. A lot of times we don't realize what we have and then we use it the wrong way because of ignorance. I hope people open there eyes and reAlize how good we have it here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with your statement about ignorance. We do need to open our eyes and realize how good we have it. I think it sometimes takes a new perspective to bring the attention back on the real meaning of living in the USA.
DeleteUs Americans take for granted the great opportunities that are alloted to us as a resident of this nation,
DeleteYes, we do take advantage of our great opportunities. That's why it would be beneficial for us to visit other country's and get a feel for what others living conditions are like so we can appreciate our own.
DeleteJackie,
DeleteI would have to agree that the U.S is a great country to establish oneself.
The opportunities are endless and there are many ways an individual can survive here. For example, if one has no choice and is willing to take a risk, he or she can turn to the military and once his or her time is served, the government will subsidize any kind of aid the individual needs.
There is also college.
I know plenty of people who came here illegally and they still received a free education; many of them went through financial aid, scholarships, volunteer work, and private loans.
Great post
- Felix
It is sad that most of us don't realize what we have, we need to open our eyes and realize that people who live in Mexico don't have a wealthy life as we do here and thats why we need to take advantage of the great opportunities that the U.S. has for us.
DeleteJackie,
DeleteThat is great that your family made it over. I'm sure it was sad for your Uncle but I hope everything is better now.
The first thing that came to my mind when I read our topic for this week was the immigration to the U.S from Mexico. I can relate to this because I know some of my family members have immigrated to the United States in search of a better life than the one they had in Mexico. One of the main things that pulled them into this country was the opportunity for a better job. Another thing was that the United States offers was also a greater opportunity for their children. For example, better education and opportunities for a way healthier and safer lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteTrue, opportunity is a major factor. I guess geography itself is kind of a push factor...the fact that our countries are side by side makes travel here easier than from Mexico to say, Germany. Does geography matter?
DeleteI believe that geography does have some say in the matter I had a co-worker that when he was a child his family immigrated to Iran from Russia because it was easier for them and then as they got older they immigrated to the U.S. because they opportunities where even better for their family.
DeleteJeanette- I have to disagree with you on "safe lifestyle." Sorry, but no matter where you are living, anything could happen. Life does not depend upon where you live. Yes, there are crime is everywhere but in some circumstance worse in other places. One of my favorite quotes, "Death and Life have determined appointments; Riches and Honor depend upon Heaven." -Confucius
DeleteYes, I love living here and I am in no way denying it but I have thought about moving to Australia, several times. In addition, America has this facade about it that many people are ignorant to notice. This means that, life is all so great here and it is all about the given opportunity. As for education, yes we are grateful to have a great education system, but if I can recall I believe we are the 25th country in education. Please correct me if i am wrong, I love to expand my knowledge. Healthier? I guess that is more of a choice, so I truly cannot blame America because people choose to eat what they want and not keep themselves nor their children on a strict healthy diet. But these are my thoughts...
I agree that a big pull factor to come to the United States was for a safer life style for our children. It's true that bad things can happen anywhere but the chance of bad things happening in the United States in very low as compared to countries like Syria. I believe that the quality of life depends on the choices you make, and the place you live is one of those choices.
DeleteI definitely feel that geography plays a huge part in being a push factor because it is easier for someone closer to the states to get here than someone farther away.
DeleteDr. Scmholl,
DeleteGeography does matter.
The outskirts of the US are highly populated with people who migrated to this country.
Nice point.
- Felix
Yes, I think geography does matter. I believe that most not all, but the majority of Mexicans immigrate to the United States because it is closer than any other country. So yes geography can be a push factor.
DeleteAngel, I like that you shared your thoughts about this, and I actually agree on many of the points you made. However on some I didn't like the comment on the healthier lifestyle. I have known many adults that have immigrated to the United States because they had of lack of food. They had no fruit, no vegetables, so they pretty much had no choice of what to eat. They ate what they could afford or had. My post was based on what many of the people that immigrate to the United States believe. I should have made that clearer.
DeleteI think the saying, "the land of opportunity" pretty much says it all. The reason people leave their country and go to...let us say USA would be we have better opportunity here than where they came from. There are many reason for coming America. It could be for education, financial gain, power of some kind. The immigrant risks death, lose of their culture, family members might not travel with them. They are in fact leaving everything behind and starting off new. The 'pull' of a new life must be great to risk so much on the possibilities of a new world. The push to leave the past has made the biggest impression. The 'push' is more powerful because of the time it would take to make plans and ponder the risks and lose of the life they are accustom to.
ReplyDeleteinteresting idea that the "push" seems more complex. That must be a tough decision, to leave one's country.
DeleteI was just thinking about the pull myself, how bad must the situation be if you are willing to risk your life to go somewhere that you are hoping will be for the betterment of your well being and life. My mom has a friend that left her children behind in Honduras and had a rough time getting her by coyotes through Mexico to get to the United States just for the opportunity of not being prosecuted and killed in a chaotic country. It was a hard decision for her but in the end after 15 years without her kids she was able to bring them to be with her.
DeleteYou make many valid points. I agree that the push is definitely more powerful because there are many risks involved in moving to a whole new country and leaving everything behind.
DeleteI agree with your idea. However much the "pull" is in a new life of opportunities, the "push" has to be more of a factor.
Delete(this is a continuation of the above comment)
ReplyDeleteIn addition, we as United States citizens take our liberties for granted. Imagine what the other 'guy' has to live with: the poverty, the economy, the life style, oppression, etc. We have the opportunity to go to school, or have a job if we make that choice. We have social programs to help if we need it as well as medical benefits. We have cars to drive or public transportation we have so many choices and we are so blessed. We have the freedom to protest, the freedom of religion, we have many freedoms we take for granted we do not realize how good we have it.
The first push to migrate came from religious persecution and they were pulled to a brand new country so that they would have the freedom to practice as they wished. Ever since then many immigrants have come to the United States in search for a better life for themselves and their families. This is a great pull if you ask me. My great-grandparents emigrated from Spain to the U.S. for a better life for their families and they also came from Mexico, which was just to cross the Rio Grande River. America is a great pull for many people who want better work, health, and living situations for themselves and their families. Geographically speaking Mexican people are attracted to the U.S. because through relatives they see the opportunities first hand that living in a better country can provide for them. I have met people from across the pond so to speak that have come to the United States in search for freedom to practice their religion and provide better economic resources for themselves. For some it has not been an easy journey, for example, those that come from Cuba, South America, and even China in cargo crates risking their lives to have a better opportunity and life. There is a strong push when the country you are coming from is in such chaos and your life is at risk on a daily basis. There is even a stronger pull when you see Americans living with such luxuries as running water and food on a daily basis. Because no matter how poor Americans are the poverty in other countries makes them look rich to those on the other side of the fence.
ReplyDeleteYour point about generations seeking a new life, traveling the distance,and taking the risks to follow their dreams because someone they knew had done so. The first hand experience is very influential. I agree.
DeleteThanks for pointing out what some people go through to get here. A lot of people are stuck in countries in which their government/dictator doesn't allow them the freedom to travel, so they risk their lives to go somewhere safe. Very good point.
Delete"no matter how poor Americans are the poverty in other countries makes them look rich to those on the other side of the fence."
ReplyDeleteWELL PUT!
My great grandparents (both sets) came to the U.S. for a better opportunity because of the lack of adequately-paying jobs in their respective countries. They were unskilled laborers from Poland and Italy. Both sets arrived at Ellis Island in or around the year 1904 (before the first world war). They wanted to provide a better life for their children than they had experienced themselves in Europe, and all of the talk and gossip of America's greatness definitely appealed to them enough to pull them to pack up and travel an ocean away from their relatives.
ReplyDeleteI first thought about a friend when thinking about push and pull factors that cause migration or immigration. My friend was originally from Germany but has lived in several different countries due to different job opportunities in each. Her German husband at the time she was living in Germany was offered a position managing a cement plant in Cairo, Egypt, so they dropped everything in Germany and lived in the middle east for about a year. There were a couple other open positions elsewhere, and after exploring for a while, they finally landed in Canada for another job. Now my friend has her green card and is living in Bakersfield with her new husband who moved here for, yes, another job opportunity. So while my friend's husbands have moved from place to place for better job opportunities, she has not. She has moved from place to place following her family (husbands). To me, the reason for moving from place to place has its base in providing a better life for one's family or self. Whether the reason be political, religious, capitalistic, or for refuge, the basis for moving still involves an opportunity to live the life one wants for himself and/or his family.
I like your experience with the different culture and regions; Poland, Egypt, Germany, and Canada. The USA is not exclusive in the immigration issue but each area has its benefits for the people immigrating there. I wonder if all immigrants experience prejudice from the native people? The immigrants do provide a service or benefit to the society they move to although they are 'foreigners' they probably perceived as outsiders and that would be the reason they live isolated in specific neighborhoods.
DeleteThat's a good point to bring up. I don't think all immigrants live in specific isolated neighborhoods specifically because they are perceived as outsiders -- I think it might also have something to do with how they perceive themselves. If I were in a foreign country and knew there was a community of English-speaking people who seemed familiar to me (made me feel like I was almost back home), I think I would find myself attracted to their community more than a community of people foreign to me of which I cannot communicate very well with. That's not to say that there isn't any anti-foreigner sentiment in any other country besides America. Perhaps a good majority of foreigners in any country live in isolated communities for both reasons -- because they are discriminated against and because they find familiarity with others that share their culture, religion, homeland, etc. That's interesting to think about.
DeleteWow, this is a heavy topic! My personal experience would be with my father because he is from Jalisco, Mexico. I believe that my father migrated around 15-20 years of age. Fairly young, and my mother is from Ventura, California. I've heard several stories about how my dad had to get to California. Pretty intense. My father came to the U.S to have a better life and experience the life he wanted and he is living his dream. My father lived a pretty tough life, as working in the fields, no place to live, but figured it out and raised six beautiful kids. I am very fortunate to have the life that I am living. As the first boy of six children, I was spoiled. My parents wanted to give us a better life than what they had, they've done an amazing job by teaching what the value of a dollar is, and raising the six of us that hard work pays off in the end. I am grateful.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the push and pull factor is solely based on that America is the place to live. Many people believe that America it is the land of the free, yes we all know that nothing is free in the world. I also believe that many people immigrate to have a better living and give their families the better opportunity to have a better life, than the upbringing of themselves (parents.) Yes, American is a wonderful place to live in and have numerous opportunities, advantages, and great experiences to live for. I absolutely love living in California and have a bucket list of many things to do here in the states, but are we truly blinded about living in other countries? e.g. Europe?
My dad did the same thing. He worked his butt off to ensure that our family of five had a good life, especially after doing odd jobs for a few years. It's not easy at all when you're trying to assimilate into American society, because either you adapt to it and find what is the best thing to do, or you just end up "cutting corners".
DeleteMy dad is also from Jalisco, Mexico so I heard similar stories about how difficult it was to get to california
DeleteMichael- yes, I completely understand what you mean. But now we are fortunate of the life we all live, it is all I can ask for is to live a healthy life and understand the struggles of their living.
DeleteLuis- Yes, it is crazy to hear the process they had to go about and adventure they all have been through. I do not know if I were able to make that decision at such a young age. Crazy to hear all the stories, of what I can remember.
Angel,
DeleteVery strong post. It is always gratifying to read about a success story.
My parents also raised six children (wow, ha ha), and it is wonderful seeing the values we were taught, and how we apply them to the everyday world.
In retrospect to your opening statements, you mention "your father came to the U.S to have a better life and experience the life he wanted and he is living his dream."
Having been through everything he experienced, it must be an amazing feeling to say he made it.
I enjoyed reading this post
- Felix
I like your post, Angel. It's a good example of immigration gone right, in my opinion. There isn't much a good parent wouldn't do to give their children a better life. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteFelix- Yes, I could say that the life he has now and provided for us as a family is amazing. We're no way near perfect, but I could not be anymore proud. As well as, being taught the values I try to learn and grow as a better person everyday.
DeleteWhitney- Thank you! I agree, I don't have any kids, but the day I do..I know that he/she will be grounded. And thank you, for posting.
My parents had immigrated from Vietnam to the U.S. in the mid 80's. Both were born near the beginning of the Vietnam War; my dad is full Vietnamese, and my mother is half because her mother was full Vietnamese-with the father being an American soldier. After the war, the reconstruction process was extremely slow, especially due to the short-sighted, ambitious campaign to integrate both North and South economically, and because of that many people were impoverished. Since my mother was fathered by an American soldier, she was eligible to immigrate to the U.S and obtain citizenship, bringing my father, uncle and grandmother in tow. Ultimately, the push factors that led to their decision to leave their home country were; an unstable political climate that neglected the welfare of its citizens -which attributed to the major inflation of its economy, making many things unaffordable for most Vietnamese. Also, there were high variances in individual income, meaning wages weren’t consistent across the board when it came to their workforce. Concurrently, America's pull factor was the fact that it had so many things to give if you were willing to take advantage of the various opportunities, such as; a higher standard of living, an actual working health-care/child-care system, larger potential to find a job that actually paid well, as well as relatively higher safety. I wouldn't say that you were promised these opportunities, as I feel that nothing good in life is ever served to you on a silver platter. However, there are many things here that were a step up from the life they had in Vietnam at the time.
ReplyDeleteI really love your entry. It's interesting to hear an immigration story from somewhere other than Mexico. Congratulations to your family.
DeleteHi Michael! I am glad to hear your family's success story. I'm also happy to hear that your family was able to migrate safely and legally. And you are right, there are a lot of opportunities to succeed in this country for those who are willing. I wish more people could see that and take advantage of the great opportunities.
Delete-Lauren: Thank you for taking the time to read it! Truth be told, I don't normally talk to my parents about their history all too often, so this was an eye opener for even myself.
Delete-Blanca: Thank you! I actually felt pretty lucky that my mom just happened to have eligibility for American citizenship from something like that. It seems so coincidentally fortunate. That aside, most definitely. However, I also understand that there may be extenuating circumstances that get in the way such as language barriers, racial discrimination, problems assimilating to American customs -the list goes on.
In addition, to what I said on Jeanette's entry. I want EVERYONE to ask themselves if given the opportunity to live in another country, would you take advantage of it?
ReplyDeleteMy response would be yes, because it is an experience I could share, an experience I lived, and therefore, I am thankful. Yes, it may be scary but what do I truly have to lose? But gain the opportunity I would have never given myself. I just believe many people are very closed minded when it comes down to it. Or it could be that I am just a bit more spontaneous. I hope that you guys enjoy this read, these are just my thoughts! Thank you!
I would most definitely live somewhere in Europe. Ideally, I would want to go to France; the feeling I get whenever I think about France is just a relaxing sort of thing, like I can just live my life one day at a time over there. A hakuna matata sort of thing, to be accurate.
DeleteI'm not sure I would live in another country, at least for very long. I would definitely visit and take in and observe how people live and gain from that. We Americans are truly blessed if you think about it to live in freedom.
DeleteMichael- Yes, I can agree with you on that..France is very relaxing and what about Italy?? I think I could see myself live there, but more so France. It just has that ESQ feeling to it, if that makes any sense.
DeleteSandi- I can understand where you are coming from, but how long would you live in country for, if you had to option? Do you feel that you could adapt easy to their lifestyle? Ideally, I believe I could adapt very quickly, yes I may question a few things, but with in no time grasp onto their lifestyle quickly.
I'd definitely take the opportunity to live in another country if I could!I don't feel very blessed to live in America lately. I think I could enjoy a Mediterranean lifestyle quite well. Or possibly somewhere in the Emerald Isle :)
DeleteI would definitely take full advantage of any opportunity I received to live in another country. I would make an earnest attempt to learn the language and the dominant customs of the country. I always enjoy getting an opportunity to change my perspective on life, and I think that living in another country would be one of the best ways to achieve this.
DeleteJeannie- Wow, that is a good choice. I never once thought of the Mediterranean, such a beautiful place to live.
DeleteAlexa- I could not agree anymore. I would love to learn the language and practice it until fluent. It is always great to know others enjoy to take an opportunity because it does open your eyes on life and viewing America from elsewhere, would be pretty ideal.
I believe the push and pull to live in America is not only because we are the land of the free, but because of much publicity we get. We get alot if you think about it. We are glamorized and to look like we are rich with opportunity and jobs and have much to offer. We do. And this is attractive to immigrants and deprived people from other country's.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't live anywhere else.
If you wouldn't live anywhere else, you are contradicting yourself with the question I had asked everyone. This is why, I stated how I feel people are very close minded. Yes, America is glamorized, but is that how you feel Americans should live?....Champagne taste on a beer budget! I wouldn't say that American living is so "glamorized."
DeleteBoth of my parents immigrated the United States in the early 1980s. My uncle left El Salvador when the civil war started and my mom followed him a few years later. She originally planned to just visit for a few months and then return home. My dad decided to move to the United States to find a job work for a few months. After saving up enough money he would movie back to the Mexico and buy a home there. My parents' plans changed when they met each other. A year after they met they were married and expecting my brother. There several different reasons why people decide to immigrate to other countries. My uncle left his home because of war and my father left just for the experience.
ReplyDeleteWow! we have similar stories. My dad too came to this country to find work to be able to support my mom after they got married and he would send her money back in Mexico, but ultimately she knew that the life in Mexico would not provide for a great future for themselves their children. Its really sad to hear how our home country is doing, but you also thank God for being given the opportunity to be one of the lucky ones to be here free in this country.
DeleteLike other students have said, the United States is a country of abundance, opportunity, and freedom. Although I believe legal immigration to be a good thing and I welcome anyone that comes to this country with the hope of a new life, I also see this country floundering. Too many people, not enough resources. When our country is unable to be financially resourceful, our freedoms (the freedoms that make this country like no other) are limited, and we find ourselves headed down the same path of the countries that others migrate from. Our unemployment rate is high and many citizens are unable to find work as it is. Throw more people into the equation, and we have a huge problem. Even more people out of work. So these hardworking people that are unable to find work look for some sort of financial assistance, and that yields less freedom for the tax payer as he or she supports the rest of society.
ReplyDeleteWe are a compassionate and generous nation and we want to help as many people as we can. However, what if our ship sinks? What if we are unable to stay afloat? How are we supposed to help others if we can't even help ourselves?
It may sound like I disagree with immigration. That is not the case at all. I disagree with illegal immigration. This country is made up of immigrants from all over the globe. I am from a family of immigrants that found hope in the United States of America. But, there has to come a point that we look at our economic troubles. The closer we come to economic failure, the closer we come to becoming the countries that people are pushed out of by poverty, poor economic climate, and unemployment.
I really like what you said about what if our ship sinks. I feel that way all the time about America. We are so worried about everyone else's business and helping them out that we forget about our own orphans, our own cities in poverty, our own schools that need help. Why are we so intent on meddling in everyone else's business?
DeleteExactly. We can't save everyone.
DeleteTo an extent, I agree with you Lauren. There is a carrying capacity to our country and we do not know what it is but if our population keeps growing we may just find out.
DeleteI see your points. And that is something I worry about to. The US is always trying to save everyone else when in reality we need to worry about saving ourselves honestly.
DeleteAmerica is a country that is predominantly known for its success and democratic government. People who migrate to this country seek better standards of living than their home countries, and they come here to create a foundation for themselves, which they can later pass down to their children. When speaking of push/pull factors in the United States—in a foreign point of view— a plethora of things come to mind. First of all, an example push factor in Mexico, for instance, would be the economic melt-down they are currently experiencing with the drug cartels. This alone is a strong concern for the surrounding area, and the offspring that will soon flourish the streets of Mexico. Why would people want to stay in a country where cartels are essentially the authoritarian force? The previous example, along with other incidents, count as push factors when dealing with migration.
ReplyDeleteA pull factor for the United States, on the contrary, is the way the government is set up. People who migrate to the United States know that there is opportunity here, and if one’s cards are played correctly, he or she can make a lot of money. My father came to this country with nothing, but now he owns property and has his own business that has been established since 1989. The United States has lots of pull factors, but the one that is most essential, respectively, is freedom. People who live in places like Latin America, Mexico, or places that are run-down with very little government support, have one place they want to go: the United States. Other pull factors may include democracy, health benefits, school benefits for adults or their children, etc.
I can relate to your story because, my father also came to this country with nothing and now he owns a property and has his own business. With all this drug cartel and bad government people are forced to seek a better life.
DeleteMaria,
DeleteI'm glad to hear that!
Congrats to your family.
Keep up the good work, let's make a difference.
-
Felix
My family decided to migrate to the United States for a better future. My grandparents helped us get to the United States by petitioning to bring us to the United States. I was eleven years old when our family and I came to the United States.
ReplyDeleteThe were many push factors that made my family want to migrate. Finding jobs was a big push factor because it was so hard to find jobs in the Philippines. We also lived on a providence that was mostly farms. There was a lot of poverty where we lived. The schools also didn’t have a lot money. The health care was limited. We were all very insecure about our futures if we stayed in the Philippines. All these things were the reasons why we wanted to leave the Philippines.
There were a lot of pull factors for my family to come to United States. My family wanted to come to the United States for a better life. The education was better in United States. Schools were a lot better since they had more money. Finding a job was alot easier in the United States. Jobs also paid much better than in the Philippines. There was a higher quality of health care than in the Philippines. In the United States we felt that we would be more secure because we would have more opportunities for better education, better employment and better health care.
That is so great you and your family got to come to the states. I am glad you made it through those tough times and are doing well!
DeleteYes Breanna, having those experiences made me appreciate everything I have and to not take things for granted.
DeleteHonestly the first thing I think of when I think of immigration are immigrants from Mexico, but it's because they are really the only immigrants we hear about. I mean obviously there are others seeing as how we have Asian-Americans, Indian-Americans, among other blended cultures, but our main focus is on the Mexican-American immigrants. Why is this? Is it because they are closer? Is it because of all the DREAM Act news? Is it because we live in a city dominated by migrant farm workers? I feel like the only immigrants we really think of are Mexican-American immigrants (unless it's just me) and I also feel like when we speak of illegal immigrants, it is Mexican-Americans who are so quick to get offended. There are many other illegal immigrants here, even if we want to go so far as to point out Canadians who are here illegally, yet Mexican-Americans are so quick to play the oppressed card, the racist card, the emotion card. It may be harsh, but I have no sympathy for ANYONE here illegally. Regardless of the work one may put in, MY resources are still being utilized by someone who they don't belong to. I know this is a touchy subject and I don't want to offend anyone, especially because I don't know how it feels to deal with this. I was "lucky enough" to be born here, to be born with white skin. I didn't have to make the choice to leave family, friends, and loved ones behind for a better life. I appreciate how tough that must be for someone. And I understand that our system for legalizing citizens isn't the greatest, but it's in place for a reason.
ReplyDeleteJeannie,
Delete"It may be harsh, but I have no sympathy for ANYONE here illegally. Regardless of the work one may put in, MY resources are still being utilized by someone who they don't belong to."
In the most respectful way, you need to be careful with the things you say--especially when it comes to a subject like immigration in the United States.
I refuse to argue with you about your statement because it was quite insulting. Instead, I will provide a list of books and topics that might help change your trajectory about people who are "here illegally."
Books: A Power of Goverments Cannot Suppress, Howard Zinn
A People's History of The United States, Howard Zinn
Blowout, Sal Castro
Give Me Liberty, Eric Foner . . . (to name a few).
Topics for you to research: 14th Amendment of the United States, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Tenochtitlan and the Aztecs, The Mexican-American War, and the true story behind Hernan Cortes--along with Christoper Columbus.
Have a good day,
- Felix
I hear a lot of young people come to the United States because they call it the land of opportunity. Some of my dearest friends came here very young and are pursing a college degree.People are struggling to make ends meet and have no choice but to leave everything they care for and know. Many people have a strong bias in immigration for many reasons. The one that particularly stands out to me is that they are taking our jobs or bringing crime. I have a different view because my parents come to this country when they were very young because they wanted to live a better quality life. Unless someone is in great need, they will not risk their life and the possibility of a worse life if they had no other choice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your reasons for why people are against immigration. People do feel that way and it's a little silly. I don't think immigrants necessarily bring crime. We'd have it regardless. And if people are worried about immigrants taking their jobs, shouldn't they get up and get the job first? I think everyone likes to find something to complain about. And it's true, if it weren't for migrant farm workers, who would work our fields? Who would do the work we are too lazy for or just don't want to do? I don't mind immigration, I just think immigrants need to do it the right way. It's unfair to those who go through the process and wait when people just sneak over here illegally and ruin it for those trying to do it right.
DeleteI would assume the pull factors to the US would be the wonderful opportunities that are offered. I love hearing the stories of someone coming from nothing and making themselves into something. Hard, dedicated people that take advantage of what this country has to offer and contributing to its greatness. We are the land of the free and at one point all of our families were immigrants. Our families came over in pursuit of a better life for their families. I believe that's still the case today. People are fleeing their homelands for various reasons but ultimately for happiness. Unfortunately, many that come over with dreams to start anew do not do so legally. It truly is unfortunate because I do believe that although they are hard wokers and are followig their dreams, they are doing so illegally. I am privledged to be a 4th generation American and would only sound ignorant to say the process of becoming a legal resident is an easy one. I really have no idea. I would assume though the process is worth it.
ReplyDeleteI really like your point of view. My parents are just that group that you described. They are the most hardworking people I know. My dad is farm worker and he has been here in the U.S. since 1979. He would send money back to my mom and support his family from far away. When they finally were able to make it here in the U.S. they new from that point on that they would be okay. I do feel that this is a great place to be and immigrating families can definitely get happiness here.
DeleteI would say the push factors could be something as simple as a better life, whether it's for personal or family with more opportunities, better education, better jobs, better care. I feel a pull towards maybe one day moving out of the states for a country that has quality healthcare for all its citizens, with a good education, and good financial standing. My parents are both immigrants. My father was born on some island near Iran to dutch and English parents, and then move from Canada to the United States because his father had a better job opportunity for more income. My mother, well she has told me her personal story of why they left Mexico for the States, mainly because of the better jobs, not necessarily the education opportunities, but also her mother felt that she can have more income to support her children on her own since her father was killed. She did have a hard time at first coming to the states, she remembers very well border patrol calling her and her mother and brothers "wetbacks", and teachers not helping her because of the language barrier. I also know her mother was worried about my mother being kidnapped and raped in the little town she grew up in. It was known for nice looking cars, or what we see on a typical day, driving through her town, and if the found a girl, she said it could be a young little kid or teen or older, if they were alone, or without protection, the would get kidnapped maybe for minutes, hours or days, and then dropped off back the town, and then the girls would be somewhat shunned. The parents would be dissapointed and none of the families would want there boys to be attracted to these girls because they were not pure anymore. So, these are just some of the reasons my grandma was pushed out of mexico and pulled into the United States, yet she still visits her family in various cities in mexico yearly.
ReplyDeleteThere are many pull factors that influence immigrants to come to the U.S. The U.S is the land of opportunity and freedom. Many immigrants are pulled to the U.S, because they believe they can make a better life for themselves, or at least better than the life they have been living. However, I do not believe these immigrants realize how hard it still will be to make a good life after coming to the U.S. There are only so many jobs available in the U.S, and only a select few are offered to immigrants, and most of the times are hard labor jobs, with no benefits at all such as healthcare and retirement.
ReplyDeleteMy family on my mothers and fathers side both came from Mexico generations ago and still have some family living in Mexico. When I have visited my family in Mexico, I saw many push factors that could lead Mexican citizens to the U.S. For example, much of Mexico except for the resort vacation spots are years behind the U.S. Rarely did I ever see any grass, and half of the roads were dirt. Many of the houses I saw were old, beat up, and made of brick and stone. I also overheard a few times while I was visiting, my family speaking of the corruption in the Mexican government. Furthermore, I understand why the U.S looks so appealing and pulls in immigrants from Mexico, but I can’t help but wonder if there life really does become better in the U.S.
That is a good point. Many immigrants probably do not know how hard it will be to begin with a clean slate in a new and foreign country unless they have relatives that have done so before them. Just like in our assigned reading, there are always unanticipated costs or expenses (like being robbed at the border) that people may not factor into their budget when they are hopping countries.
DeleteI can't imagine uprooting my family and moving to another country. Especially if I was not fluent in the language. I think that makes the transition so much harder.
Deletegood question about quality of life, Gabe. I wonder how to measure that quality. Education level? Healthcare, socio-economic status? All those are clearly better for most immigrants, especially if you look a couple of generations out after the initial move. But there are other factors, like a vibrant public life, partying in the village, solid social institutions...those may be better elsewhere. Or maybe not! It's good to wonder about though.
DeleteI was born in Mexico in 1982, but my parents immigrated here 2 months after I was born along with 2 older sisters. I became a resident as a teen and I haven’t had the chance to go back to visit family in Mexico since. I know exactly how hard it was for my parents being in Mexico; to be able to get by on the little that they had and in a country where there is no help from the government. My parents are from a very small village in Mexico and in their generation they were living without technology. They had to work extra hard and not even make enough to support the whole family. I do believe that where I am from the economic struggle is a big part of the reason that people immigrate to the U.S. In most recent years it is because of the political disorder and all the drug problems that are taking over everyone’s lives. The people are being drawn to the U.S. because they are either told from family or others that they will have a better life here. Unfortunately not everyone that makes it here has a great life. Some are lucky to make it here and others resort to bad things like stealing or drugs. I feel blessed to be here and to have been able to have the life that many others from Mexico would dream of. I don’t have much, and I have done the best in my life so far to be able to make my parents proud and let them know that they did well, so with that I feel that I was one of the lucky ones that came into this country and have the American dream come true.
ReplyDeleteHmm...Looks like my original submission never made it up here. That is frustrating. Let me sum it up: The push and pull factors of the world of immigration and migration are complex and we cannot possibly understand them all. The U.S. still has major pull factors for people all over the world. The major one is the promise of opportunity for a better life. We seem to take for granted that we can believe in the religions we want, do the jobs we choose to (for the most part), have access to education, and live in relative freedom. The current immigration discussion...or political battle, rather...often varies from one extreme to the other. "Go back to the country you came from" and "We can help everyone" are those extremes summed up in two phrases I've heard in immigration discussions. What some people fail to realize is that immigration, illegal and legal, are not black and white situations. The truth of a situation, I find, is often somewhere in between. It is also my personal belief that while it is good and fine for people to grumble about illegal immigration, those same people would never degrade themselves so much as to do the work the illegal immigrants do. How many middle- to upper-middle class white people do you know that would do seasonal farm labor for drastically less than minimum wage? None. That concludes my ramblings.
ReplyDeleteARRRGH, SUPER FRUSTRATING!
DeleteMany people immigrate to the U.S. for a better life. For example, they immigrate in search for the American Dream, such as: more jobs, better lives, and more money. I can relate to this because I have family members who came here for a chance to give their children a better education. In Mexico it is very hard to have the opportunities we have here, this is why America is their dream place. They also come here to start a new beginning. For instance, my father immigrated to this country when I was six years old, after a few months of being here, he wanted my mother and I to come live with him and start a better life. We have friends who are still in Mexico; we see how they struggle to find a good paying job and I am just very grateful to be in this country and have a good paying job and a better education than most people in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteImmigration has always been a huge topic in my family. My dad's parents came from Japan when they were in grammar school. I am not sure exactly why they decided to move but I know it was for better opportunities. Once they got to California they settled around the Fresno area and did not meet until after the internment camps. The hardest thing about them moving is starting over in California, then losing it all again going to the internment camps. That was a tough time in their lives and after losing all their land, it was hard starting over after the war. I know they struggled a lot and I thank them for going through all the hardships. I know they believed they would get the American dream coming here but they didn't get to come close. They are amazing for sticking through their hardships and coming from nothing to live in the United States.
ReplyDeleteI know of several friends whose families migrated here for better chances of succes and for better futures for their children. Plenty of them wouldn't be where they were today if they hadnt come to america. I have heard stories from them about how life in other countries just isnt the same as it is in america. they get to go to college and have successful careers, things that they have told me personally wouldnt even be possible in their home country. I think it is really great that immigration happens in the US so that everyone in the world has equal opportunity to succeed. I personally am all for it.
ReplyDeleteLexi, I would really have to agree with you on this one. I know of several people who have migrated here for better chances as well, but I didn't even find out until my college. It was really shocking but now that I am older I get to understand and learn about the difficulties in other countries and the opportunities here in the U.S. I think that it is a tough topic to come out and say, I am for immigration!, but I am.
DeleteThis is an important topic for me, as I wouldn't have been here without my paternal grandparents immigrating to the US in 1957 from Holland. They traveled by ship to New York and made their way to California with my Dad and two uncles. My Dad was five years old. They ended up in Pasadena, where my grandparents still live. My Dad moved back to Holland when I was 17, My Uncle Harry has moved on to Denver, CO and my other Uncle Chanty passed away when I was on deployment to Guam in 2003. I am the first born in the US, my brother is the second. My grandparents moved here in hopes of the American Dream. My grandpa took any job he could get and eventually retired as a welding inspector. I look up to them because I know they worked hard for everything they have. I can't imagine making that decision with 3 small children and leaving everything they know for hope of something better.
ReplyDeleteNycole, thanks for sharing. I wish I could read the whole story and know more! But I am right there with you. I could never imagine making that decision with children for the unfamiliar! This is so embarrassing, but I can't even imagine living out on my own yet within a town that I have lived in my whole life. The dedication and courage it takes to make such a bold move like that is just crazy...I don't even think "crazy" is a good word but what would that word be? You know?
DeleteThis particular topic is really new to me, but still very important in my life. Not until my college career as a junior, did I really start coming face to face with issues about immigration. Immigration was nothing that I talked about or was confronted with in my daily life- but I was so naive and ignorant. Looking around now I see that it surrounds everything and is the hot topic of today's society and specifically, our country. Recently this past year one of my classmates, and friend, had told me her personal story about coming into this country with her parents and receiving more opportunity than her parents such as an education, specifically a college degree. Hearing this, and many other personal stories about what drew them here, really woke me up. It was never real to me until I had met someone that had told me, yeah, I'm not from here but here I am making it.
ReplyDeleteOver the summer I went on an internship and during that internship we learned about immigration reform and topics surrounding it. During a talk during one of our classes we had a guest speaker and he came and talked to us and told us his story about crossing the border with his mom when he was only five years old. He told us his personal struggles such as not receiving aid for schooling, not being able to get a real job, and not having a drivers license, among many other hardships, but he also told us, that just that week, because of some bill that Obama had passed, he was able to receive a drivers license, get a social security card, and get a real job. It was so crazy hearing his story I was literally in tears. It made me notice how much I take for granted in life here in the U.S. but more than myself, it made me realize the very very real hardships of being an immigrant. He also talked about the fear of being deported because he came when he was only five, and if he were to get deported he would have no place to call his home. He grew up here, and this is all he knows, so if he were to get deported to a country he is unfamiliar with, that would be so horrific. I just imagined myself being deported to some random country like Spain, even though I love it there, but I would have no place to live, and no familiar face to help me.
I am all for immigration rights because I think that this is really important and should be important to everyone. We should be talking beyond issues about our economy, but the issues of treating immigrants inhumanely. It is truly a disgrace.