International Migration PDF

# What are the causes and consequences of forced migration and internal displacement? ## International Migration - Voluntary migration can occur internationally, internally, or nationally. - Many reasons for migration to another country are similar to those explored in relation to internal migrati...

# What are the causes and consequences of forced migration and internal displacement? ## International Migration - Voluntary migration can occur internationally, internally, or nationally. - Many reasons for migration to another country are similar to those explored in relation to internal migration in China, with migrants seeking an enhanced way of life and economic opportunities. - Advantages and disadvantages for both the countries of origin and destination are also similar, but international migration may create additional challenges for both the migrants and the residents of the destination country, as has been seen in the case of migration from Mexico to the USA. ### Discuss - What is the "American Dream"? Is this something that is still relevant and/or desirable in today's society? ### Mexico and the USA - The border between the USA and Mexico is 2,000 km long. - The USA receives in excess of 1 million Mexican migrants each year. - It is difficult to calculate an exact figure as illegal migration is significant. - US Border Patrol guards the border and in recent years, strong restrictions on immigration have been introduced in an attempt to curb the flow. - The assimilation of Mexican migrants into US communities has often proved problematic - the majority of migrants are poorly educated and do not speak fluent English, which makes integration difficult. - To counteract this, and for stability and familiarity, many Mexicans live in closed communities of other Mexican immigrants. - This reduces their need to assimilate with the USA but has led to tension between migrants and locals, which in extreme cases has led to segregation, violence, and crime. - Tensions have also risen between migrants and locals as the unemployment rate in the USA has risen. - Since the majority of migrants have a low standard of education, they have traditionally taken low-paid, sometimes menial jobs. - Although the wages are low in the US context, they are still higher than what they would earn in Mexico. - As unemployment has risen, more Americans have needed these jobs and social tensions have increased as many Americans believe that the migrants have taken jobs that are rightfully theirs. - Despite this, there are undoubtedly upsides to the international migration between Mexico and the USA, in particular the introduction of Mexican culture and traditions. - Mexican cuisine is now extremely popular in the USA, and the foods and music that the Mexican migrants have introduced have helped to increase America's cultural diversity. - Similarly, as the majority of Mexican migrants do not speak English fluently, Spanish is often taught in US schools and this widens the skill set of the younger population and broadens their future career opportunities. - However, international migration often takes its toll on the country of origin, and Mexico is no exception. - While it benefits economically from remittances sent home by the migrants, the lack of a young, working-age population means that Mexico increasingly has a dependent population, as the majority of people left are the elderly who cannot work. - The lack of young fertile couples is reducing the birth rate in Mexico, further increasing the dependency ratio as there is no workforce to pay taxes to support the elderly. ## Activity: A World Without Border Controls in a Century ### Migration Terminology - **Migrant**: A person who moves from one place to another in order to find work or better living conditions. - **Immigrant**: A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. - **Emigrant**: A person who leaves their own country in order to settle permanently in another. - **Internally displaced Person (IDP)**: A person who is forced to flee their home but who remains within their country´s borders. - **Refugee**: A person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. - **Asylum seeker**: A person who has left their home country as a political refugee and who is seeking asylum in another. ## Internally displaced people (IDPs) - Often go on to become refugees and later asylum seekers if they are forced from their country´s borders. - There are currently twice as many IDPs as refugees in the world. ## Take Action - Despite its global scale, the issue of internal displacement remains largely overshadowed by issues with refugees and migrants. - Create a video and poster campaign to raise awareness of the issues of IDPs. - Perhaps you could arrange to present in an assembly or to a group of your peers. ## Case Study of Forced Migration from Syria ### What are the push factors? - In March 2011, pro-democracy protests began in Syria after the arrest and torture of a group of teenagers who had painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. - These protests quickly spiralled as people demanded President Assad's resignation. - The government's use of force to try to curb the protests made things worse and violence escalated. - By 2012, the country had descended into civil war as rebel brigades were formed to battle government forces for control of cities, towns and the countryside. - The rise of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) added a further dimension to the civil conflict. - The UN accused IS of waging a campaign of terror, as it inflicted severe punishments on those who transgressed or refused to accept its rules, including hundreds of public executions and amputations. - Its fighters also carried out mass killings of rival armed groups, members of the security forces and religious minorities. - In August 2013, a chemical weapons attack was launched on the city of Damascus which killed hundreds of people. - The government denied the attack and blamed the rebel forces. - Regardless of who is to blame for the use of chemical weapons and the continued state of political unrest, these conditions have led to a stream of forced migration as people fear for their lives. - The continued attacks on schools, hospitals, water networks, electricity plants, places of worship, and economic assets have made civilians extremely vulnerable. ## Humanitarian Needs Overview, 2016 - An estimated 13.5 million people in Syria, including 6 million children, require humanitarian assistance and protection. - 8.7 million people have acute needs across multiple sectors. - It is estimated that upwards of 250,000 people have been killed, including tens of thousands of children and youth. - Almost 70 per cent lack access to adequate drinking water amid continuing water cuts. - One in three people are unable to meet their basic food needs, with an estimated 8.7 million people in need of a range of food security-related assistance. - 2.4 million people lack adequate shelter. - Over 11 million people require health assistance, including 25,000 trauma cases per month. - 1.7 million IDPs are living in camps and collective centers. - An estimated 86,000 children aged 6-59 months suffer from acute malnutrition. - A further 3.16 million children under the age of five and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) are considered at risk. - Over 2 million children and adolescents are out of school. One in four schools are damaged, destroyed or occupied. - Four out of five Syrians live in poverty. Competing over limited resources might create tensions in areas of displacement. - Since the onset of the crisis the average life expectancy has fallen by 20 years. - Nearly one in three Syrian households is now indebted, due mainly to food costs. - Lack/loss of civil and personal documentation is a key concern. - Up to 95 per cent of Palestine Refugees who remain in Syria are in continuous need of humanitarian aid. - One in four children are at risk of developing mental health disorders. - Three in five locations are affected by child labour, including in its worst forms. - 1.5 million people have disabilities. - An estimated 300,000 women are pregnant and need targeted support. ### Discuss - The Western World has a moral obligation to take a more active role in addressing the refugee crises in Africa and Southwest Asia. - Discuss this statement. ## Activity: Forced Migration in Syria Case Study - Using the information above as a starting point, compile a case study on the forced migration situation in Syria. - Remember, case studies are useful tools for students of Individuals and Societies as they allow you to demonstrate your knowledge in the context of the real world. - Use the following as a guide for structuring your case study: - Where is the event set? - Who is affected? - When did the event unfold? - Why has it happened? - How is it being managed? - What impact is it having on the population of the country affected and of neighbouring countries? - Is this event affecting the populations of other countries? - Illustrate your case study using photos, maps, and diagrams where appropriate. ## Assessment Opportunities - In this activity you have practised skills that are assessed using Criterion B: Investigating and Criterion C: Communicating.