//3.a. Global migration creates opportunities and challenges which reflect the unequal power relations between countries

Question 1

Case study of one AC to show how it influences and drives change in the global migration system?

Answer 1

The USA

Question 2

Patterns of immigration to the USA

Answer 2

• the USA has a strong influence on global migration
• 2013-41.3 million immigrants living in the USA (13% of total population)
• the main contributer was Mexico (28%)
• there has been rapid growth in the number of immigrants entering the USA in the 21st century but there are recent signs that the rate of increase is slowing

Question 3

Reasons for immigration to USA-SOCIAL

Answer 3

• the positive immigration policy
• possibility of obtaining a Green card (permanent resident)
• employment opportunities for low and high skilled workers
• educational opportunities
• access to services e.g. health
• the importance of family reunification within the migration policy

Question 4

Reasons for immigration to USA-ECONOMIC

Answer 4

• wage differentials

- opportunity to send remittances

Question 5

Reasons for immigration to USA-POLITICAL

Answer 5

-the policy on refugee admission

Question 6

Patterns of emigration from the USA

Answer 6

• in 2015, 2.98 million US citizens were living abroad
• main destinations are Mexico, Canada, UK, Puetro Rico, Germany, Australia and Israel
• this is explained by the return of migrants such as Mexican families

Question 7

Reasons for emigration away from USA

Answer 7

-highly skilled workers in education, IT and communications have migrated to countries with political, economic and historical ties such as Canada, UK and other EU countries

Question 8

Migration policies: who governs the USA immigration policy

Answer 8

-the Immigration and Naturalisation Acts-it allows an annual worldwide limit of 675,000 permanent immigrants

Question 9

Migration policies: 5 principles of US immigration policy

Answer 9

• reunification of families-480,000 visas available for family memebers to join US citizens
• admission of migrants with skills valuable to the USA economy-140,000 visas available for highly skilled workers
• protecting refugees-the number of admissions is decided every year
• promoting diversity-50,000 visas randomly selcted
• humanitarian relief-temporary visas available for relief from natural disasters

Question 10

Social factors which explain interdependence with countries liked to the USA by migration

Answer 10

-in 2013, over 11.5 million Mexicans lived in the USA, and 1 million Americans lived in Mexico

Question 11

Economic factors which explain interdependence with countries liked to the USA by migration

Answer 11

• low skilled Mexicans contribute to the US economy by working in agriculture, contruction and low paid services
• wages are higher in Mexcio-opportunity for remittances
• since the formation of NAFTA, bilateral trade between the USA and Mexico has grown significantly-development of aerospace+IT sectors

Question 12

Political factors which explain interdependence with countries liked to the USA by migration

Answer 12

-political power relations remain imbalanced but there has been co-operation over issues in common e.g. drug trade and water scarity

Question 13

Opportunites and challenged created by USA international migrants: which group dominated migrants in the USA

Answer 13

The Hispanic origin

Question 14

Opportunites and challenged created by USA international migrants: what has happened to the number of Mexicans entering the USA

Answer 14

-it is decreasing due to decleration of the Mexican influx and tightning of border controls

Question 15

Opportunites and challenged created by USA international migrants: immigrants from which country have increased

Answer 15

China and India

Question 16

Opportunites and challenged created by USA international migrants: opportunties

Answer 16

• immigrant populations take many of the low paid jobs which native born Americans find unattractive. Main employment of Mexican immigrants in 2013 was in services (31%)
• US immigration policy aims to attract high skilled and well qualified professionals. Main employment in 2013 was in business and science
• most immigrants to the USA are in the young working age groups-this is of economic and social benefits
• immigrants are consumers which helps job creation start ups and generated wealth

Question 17

Opportunites and challenged created by USA international migrants: challenges

Answer 17

• estimated 11.5 million unauthorised immigrants live in the USA. Many migrants from other Latin American countries attempt to cross via the land route using Mexico
• there has been uneven progress in the integration of immigrant groups into US society-this depends on the size and diversity of the immigrant groups and factors
• where immigrant populations are concentrated, supply of resources and service have become an issue

Question 18

Case study of one LIDC to show how it has limited influence over and restricted response to the global migration system.?

Answer 18

Laos (Lao PDR)

Question 19

Some statistics about Laos

Answer 19

• 2014, 73% employed in agriculture
• net migration loss is high
• human trafficking is a major problem
• 2013-1.29 million Laos born emigrants lived abroad
• 2013-20,00 foregin born immigrants lived in Laos

Question 20

Reasons for emigration to Thailand-push factors

Answer 20

• many of those working on land are subsistence farmers-farming holds no promise of financial gain
• there is a lack of alternative occupations in rural areas
• insufficient land available for farming and periodic droughts lead to food insecurity
• daily minimum wage in Laos is 80 baht
• low levels of education in Laos
• migrant remittances are main source of income for many families in Laos

Question 21

Reasons for emigration to Thailand-pull factors

Answer 21

• there is a strong motivation to follow others who have returned from financially successful migrations
• daily minimum wage in Thailand is 300 baht
• insaitable demand for unskilled labour in Thailand’s rapidly growing economy

Question 22

What has made migration to Thailand been easier

Answer 22

• familiarity with Thai culture and language
• improved access along the Mekonh
• use of ‘brokers’ to reach the Thai border and access to employment in Thailand

Question 23

Patterns of immigration in Laos

Answer 23

• migration to Laos from neighbouring countries, especially Vietnam is the result of employment opportunities in the government
• many Vitenamese immigrants working in construction and mining

Question 24

Migration policies: What is one of the main migration problems in Laos

Answer 24

-human trafficking-the vulnerability of young migrants to forced labour and sex exploitation in Thailand is a major concern to the government

Question 25

Migration policies: Who are working together to try and tackle human trafficking

Answer 25

-the Lao PDR ministry of labour and social welfare, and the Ministry of public security now work in co-operation to implement a more stringent and trafficking policy

Question 26

Migration policies: what are the three strands by the National Plan of Action for Human Trafficking, led by the Lao PDR government

Answer 26

• preventation-awareness campaigns, education, child protection
• protection-reintegration of returning migrants, shelters for women who need counselling
• prosecution-training border officials, strengthening legal framework

Question 27

Migration policies: How is being a member of Asean helping Laos

Answer 27

• Laos is subject to its laws on migration

- the AEC claims to allow freer movement of skilled labuor from 2015

Question 28

Interdependence with countries liked to Laos by migration: What are some ways ways Laos and Thailand interdependent

Answer 28

• Laos and Thailand work toghether as members of the Mekong River Commission to manage flooding
• Laos signed agreements to build rail links in 2012
• Laos and Thailand are members of the COMMIT
• Laos-Thailand migration corridor dominated by the flow of Laotians to work in Thailand

Question 29

Opportunities created by migration in Laos

Answer 29

• migration corridor between Laos and Thailand has helped to stimulate political and economic co-operation in terms of trade, investment and security
• bilateral relations with Vietnam extend beyond reciprocal labour migration
• migrant remittances are important-in Laos 22% of families live below the poverty line
• political stability improving between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam

Question 30

Challenges created by migration in Laos

Answer 30

• most economic migrants are low skilled and have limited education-Laos government policy has been difficult to implement
• loss of skilled labour e.g. mechanics to Thailand. Wage differentials remain high
• Laos garment industry is the largest sector of manufacturing employment but its growth depends of improved working conditions and young female workers