What are the issues associated with unequal flows of global migration?

3a. Global migration creates opportunities and challenges which reflect the unequal power relations
between countries.
Case study of one AC to show how it influences and drives change in the global migration system.
Illustrate economic, political and social factors which explain:

THE USA
Patterns of emigration and immigration, migration policies, and interdependence wit countries
linked to it by migration.

Patterns of emigration
 In 2013 there were 2.98 million US citizens living abroad and the number is growing
 Main destinations are Mexico, Canada, UK, Puerto Rico, Germany, Australia and Israel
 Largely due to return of migrants such as Mexican and Latin American families and their
American-born children.
There a number of factors which influence emigration patterns. These include:
Economic factors Political factors Social factors
 Employment opportunities  A number of highly skilled  Educational opportunities
for both low and high workers in education, IT & and access to other
skilled workers communications have services such as health
 Wage differentials and the migrated to countries with  The importance of family
opportunity to send political and historical ties reunification within the
remittances (send money such as UK, Canada and migration policy
back home) other EU countries.  The policy on refugee
 Highly skilled workers admission
migrate for economic
reasons

Patterns of immigration Foreign-born residents in

the USA 2013:
The USA has a strong influence on global migration
28% Mexicans
Current patterns:
5% Indians
In 2013 there were 41.3 million immigrants living in the USA. This made up 5% Chinese
13% of the total population of the USA. 4% Filipino
 9 nationalities with over 1 million people in each, 78 different 3.5% Puerto Ricans
nationalities with over 50,000 people in each 3% Vietnamese
 Rapid growth in immigration in the 21st century, but recent signs show 3% Salvadorans
that the increase is slowing. 3% Cubans
3% South Koreans
Migration policies
 The Immigration and Naturalisation Act allows an annual worldwide limit of 675,00 permanent
immigrants
 There are periodic amendments including the Immigration & Nationality Acts
 There is also a separate number of refugee admissions
 The immigration policy is based on:
 Reunification – 480,000 visas per year for family members to join US citizens/legal residents
  Admission of skilled workers 140,000 visas per year normally sponsored by employers for a
specific job offer
 Protection of refugees – number decided each year. 70,000 in 2013
 Promotion of diversity – 50.000 visas per year, drawn randomly from countries with low
rates of immigration to the USA. In 2014, mainly African countries were drawn.
 Humanitarian relief – temporary visas for relief from natural disasters or ongoing armed
conflict.

Interdependence with countries linked to it by migration

The world’s largest bi-lateral corridor is between America and Mexico. A diaspora is a group
 In 2013, Over 11.5 million Mexicans lived in the US and 1 million Americans of people who have
lived in Mexico migrated into another
 Each of the two countries has its largest diaspora living in the other. country by some force
 There is a growing social and cultural connectivity or situation but
 The formation of NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) maintain close ties
has helped the growth of bilateral trade (merchandise alone accounts with their homeland.
for US$1.4 billion per day)
 Mexican industry has benefited – development of aerospace and IT sectors has been
boosted by foreign direct investment (FDI) from the US
 Joint management of the Colorado River Basin and the Sonoran desert. (water scarcity)

Opportunities, such as labour supply

 Low skilled Mexicans, many illegal, contribute to the US economy
They work in low paid jobs in construction and agriculture – but wages are much higher than in
Mexico
 Mexicans can send money back to their families as migrant remittances
This amounted to US$22 billion (2%) of Mexico’s GDP

Challenges, such as border issues

 Political power relations remain unbalanced
 There has been an increase in co-ordination and co-operation over issues common to the
two countries such as:
 Border security
 The Drug Trade
 Human trafficking
 Environmental issues (water scarcity)