An alien, that’s now your legal name, a term you grew up knowing it only referred to those ugly extraterrestrial creatures with ill motive of destroying or conquering the world, at least that’s what Hollywood taught you. How did you get here? There is always a captivating story behind every single immigrant.
Meet Kasir (not his real name) who has been forced to flee his country due to political instability which has claimed the life of his parents and siblings. He is only 16 years old and had to trek hundreds of miles with limited food and water to get into a refugee camp in a neighboring country. What does the future hold for Kasir now that everything is seems all lost to him? Kasir’s story is not unique as this has been the case in Rwanda, S.Sudan and it’s the norm in the Middle East.
The grass is always greener on the other side, at least that’s according to Lilian (not her real name). The promise of a greener pasture drove her off her country. She has already conformed to the trends and culture of her host country. I wonder if she like it here, and does she live the life she anticipated? Immigrants in such for better economic empowerment in other countries are found in many countries all over the world.
Then comes Fatuma (not her real name), she has been staying in a foreign country for three years now. This is all in the name of better education and exposure. She believes that this is the best opportunity for her to pursue and advance in her education, better than she would have done back home. Who wouldn’t wish to secure a chance in a prestigious university a broad? Many like Fatuma leave their county to quench their thirst for knowledge in other countries.
Demographic factors, economic disparities and environmental changes are the major drivers of migration: This is a mixed migration flows. It consist, refugees, asylum seekers, regular and irregular migrants. Migration has both positive and negative impact to us and our society. Negative migration involves human trafficking, kidnapping of vulnerable refugees and migrants, torture, abuse of female refugees and migrants, a shrinking protection space for refugees and migrants dying while crossing the Sahara desert to Libya, the Gulf of Aden in Yemen, or the Mediterranean Sea to Italy. Positive migration can be effective in poverty reduction strategy and has many beneficial effects for countries of origin, destination countries and for migrants themselves.
Migrants fill gaps in labor markets, send billions of remittances to their countries of origin, pay taxes, and stimulate trade and transfer technologies skills and ideas. People from the poorest places gaining the most. International migration reduces poverty at the family level. International migration positively contribute to human capital formation, migrant remittances multiplier effects in rural economies and can thus contribute to economic development. Education and healthcare receive high priority in the spending of remittances.
In the United States of America, evidence suggests that immigration leads to more innovation, a better educated workforce, grater occupational specialization, better matching of skills with jobs, and higher overall economic productivity. Immigrates have kept the level of innovation high in this country judging from the fact that in the last decade several multibillion dollar companies from Tesla to Pfizer have been founded by immigrants.
Japanese reluctant to accept immigrants (apart from very highly skilled personnel) seems to take a toll on its economy. Its economy to recession, and maybe immigration into the country might just be the solution. Japanese population have been shrinking, translating to fewer workers, fewer consumers, and less overall demand, all while a growing elderly population puts strain on government budget. A fresh influx of labor force into the country may save the economy by providing increased labor (both skilled and Non-skilled) to supplement the already depleted labor force, and to also improve the innovative new of the Japanese people through acquisition of knew knowledge and skills.
Public perception seems less convinced on the positive effects of migration. Anti-migration is common in them. What has led to this the negative rhetoric that is often used in media coverage and comments on migration. Some of the unsubstantiated myths on social and security risks of migrants include; migrants migration imports ethnic tension, migrants are potential terrorists or pose health risks to the society, refugees and migrants are disproportionately involved in criminal activities.
Despite the fallacy spread by both main stream media and social media that immigrants in the United States of America are the reason for high level of insecurity and terrorism in America, research has it otherwise. According to Nowrasteh’s analysis, over the past 41 years (from 1975-2015; the chance an American would be killed by a foreign-born refugee terrorists is 1 in 3.64 billion per year; the chance of an American being murdered by undocumented immigrant terrorist is 1 in 10.9 billion per year; the chance of an American could be killed by a terrorist on a typical tourist visa was 1 in 3.9 billion. This is to include the fact that there hasn’t been a single American killed by terrorist from one of the seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) includes in the President’s travel ban.
Immigration has been the major driver of advancements and civilization for millennia. The movement of people from one place to another, has led to the sharing of ideas and knowledge which has been integral in human survival and improved lifestyle. Just as Lyndon B. Johnson quoted in regards to America’s Greatness—“The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources-because it was nourished by many cultures and traditions and people.”— is an indicator of the importance of immigration to the society.
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Nice piece
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Nice piece Beline
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