Root Causes of Migration - Factors & Examples

Root Causes of Migration Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leaveor who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more. Safety Factors\ Safe...

Root Causes of Migration Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leaveor who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more. Safety Factors\ Safety factors can cause danger to individuals, prompting them to migrate. Persecution and discrimination based on nationality, race, religion, political beliefs, or membership status in a particular social group will prompt people to move large distances in search of a safer living location where they can have freedom over their lives. Danger can be imposed upon individuals by something formal, like war, or informal, such as widespread gang activity. In 2016, the Northern Triangle, composed of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, was named one of the most violent regions in the world. All three Northern Triangle countries record thousands of crimes by local and international gangs and armed criminal groups, and most crimes are met with impunity. It is estimated that 10% of the Northern Triangle's population has already left, and it is likely that many more will flee in part due to extreme violence. Economic Factors\ Economic migration, whether permanent or seasonal, is a commonly cited reason for migration. In general, it is believed that in economic migration people move from poorer developing areas into richer areas where wages are higher and more jobs are available. It is also common for people from rural areas to move to more competitive urban areas in order to find more opportunities. Environmental Factors\ Migration caused by environmental factors is increasingly involuntary. Environmental factors cause displacement, or the forced movement of people by social or environmen- tal factors. Crop failure for example, often results in both food scarcity and a drop in agricultural jobs, prompting people to move to a place with better job opportunities and climate. Pollution of water, air and soil in both urban and rural settings can also create a serious health risk to locals, forcing them to look for a better life for themselves and their children. Social Factors\ Social factors motivating migration grow from the human needs and desires to achieve a better quality of life. Migrants often move to ensure better opportunities for themselves or their family, like sending their child to a better, safer school or finding a job that would have not only a sufficient salary, but also important benefits and career growth prospects. In terms of education, the United States graduate programs have been a particularly strong attraction for young, talented individuals around the world. Individuals can also migrate in search of ser- vices, such as life-saving surgery and medical treatment that are inaccessible in their home area.\ \ Illegal migration Illegal migration is when people enter or stay in a country without legal permission. It can also be called illegal immigration or undocumented immigration. Examples of illegal migration Entering a country without an immigration inspection Entering a country with a visa that has expired Entering a country fraudulently Crossing a border without going through the proper channels Staying in a country after a visa expires