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{{redirect|Immigrants}}

{{for|the cellular automaton|Immigration (CA)}}

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[[Image:Net migration rate world.PNG|right|300px|thumb|[[Net migration rate]]s for 2008: positive (blue), negative (orange), stable (green), and no data (grey).]]
While the movement of people has thought throughout history at various levels, modern '''immigration''' [[tourism|tourists]] are considered non-immigrants (see [[expatriate]]). Immigration that violates the immigration laws of the destination country is termed [[illegal immigration]] or undocumented immigration. Seasonal labor migration, (typically for periods of less than a year), is often treated as a form of immigration.
The modern concept of immigration is related to the development of [[Nationals]] and [[nationality law]]. [[Citizenship]] in a nation-state confers an inalienable right of residence in that state, but [[permanent residency|residency]] of non-citizens is subject to conditions set by [[immigration law]]. The emergence of nation-states made immigration a political issue: by definition it is the homeland of a [[nation]] defined by shared ethnicity and/or culture.

The global volume of immigration is high in absolute terms, but low in relative terms. The International Integration and Refugee Association estimated 175 million international migrants in 2005, about 2 percent of the [[global population]].{{Fact|date=January 2009}} The Middle East, some parts of Europe, small areas of South East Asia, and a few spots in the West Indies have the highest percentages of immigration population recorded by the UN Census 2005. The [[International Organization for Migration]] said there are more than 200 million migrants around the world today. [[Europe]] hosted the largest number of immigrants, with 70.6 million people in 2005, the latest year for which figures are available. [[North America]], with over 45.1 million immigrants, is second, followed by [[Asia]], which hosts nearly 25.3 million. Most of today's migrant workers come from Asia.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec02/0,4670,EUWorldMigrationReport,00.html Rich world needs more foreign workers: report], FOXNews.com, December 02, 2008</ref>

Theories of immigration traditionally distinguish between [[Push and pull factors|push factors]] and [[Push and pull factors|pull factors]].<ref>See the NIDI/[[Eurostat]] '''push and pull study''' for details and examples: [http://www.nidi.knaw.nl/web/html/pushpull/index.html]</ref> Push factors refer primarily to the motive for [[emigration]] from the country of origin. In the case of economic migration (usually labour migration), differentials in [[wage rate]]s are prominent. If the value of wages in the new country surpasses the value of wages in one’s native country, he or she may choose to migrate as long as the travel costs are not too high. Particularly in the 19th century, economic expansion of the U.S. increased migrant flow, and in effect, nearly 20% of the population was foreign born versus today’s value of 10%, making up a significant amount of the labor force. Poor individuals from less developed countries ''can'' have far higher standards of living in developed countries than in their originating countries. The cost of emigration, which includes both the explicit costs, the ticket price, and the implicit cost, lost work time and loss of community ties, also play a major role in the pull of emigrants away from their native country. When the [[opportunity cost]] is lower, the immigration rates tend to be higher.<ref> Boustan, Leah. "Fertility and Immigration." UCLA. 15 Jan. 2009. </ref>Escape from [[poverty]] (personal or for relatives staying behind) is a traditional push factor, the availability of [[employment|jobs]] is the related pull factor. [[Natural disasters]] and can amplify poverty-driven migration flows. This kind of migration may be [[illegal immigration]] in the destination country (emigration is also illegal in some countries, such as [[North Korea]], [[Zimbabwe]], and [[Somalia]]).

Emigration and immigration are sometimes mandatory in a contract of employment: religious [[Missionary|missionaries]], and employees of [[transnational corporations]], international [[non-governmental organisations]] and the [[diplomatic service]] can expect to work 'overseas'. They are often referred to as '[[expatriates]]', and their conditions of employment are typically equal to or better than those applying in the host country (for similar work).

For some migrants, [[education]] is the primary pull factor (although most [[international students]] are not classified as immigrants, but may choose to become immigrants if they refuse to return). [[Retirement]] migration from rich countries to lower-cost countries with better [[climate]], is a new type of international migration. Examples include immigration of retired [[United Kingdom|British]] citizens to [[Spain]] or [[Italy]] and of retired [[Canadian]] citizens to the [[United States|U.S.]] (mainly to the U.S. states of [[Florida]] and [[Texas]]).

Non-economic push factors include [[persecution]] (religious and otherwise), frequent [[abuse]], [[bullying]], [[oppression]], [[ethnic cleansing]] and even [[genocide]], and risks to civilians during [[war]]. Political motives traditionally motivate refugee flows - to escape [[dictatorship]] for instance.

Some migration is for personal reasons,
based on a [[Interpersonal relationship|relationship]] (e.g. to be with family or a partner), such as in [[family reunification]] or [[transnational marriage]]. In a few cases, an individual may wish to emigrate to a new country in a form of transferred [[patriotism]]. Evasion of [[criminal justice]] (e.g. avoiding [[arrest]]) is a personal motivation. This type of emigration and immigration is not normally legal, if a crime is internationally recognized, although criminals may disguise their identities or find other loopholes to evade detection. There have been cases, for example, of those who might be guilty of war crimes disguising themselves as victims of war or conflict and then pursuing asylum in a different country.

Barriers to immigration come not only in legal form; natural barriers to immigration can also be very powerful. Immigrants when leaving their country also leave everything familiar: their family, friends, support network, and culture. They also need to liquidate their assets often at a large loss, and incur the expense of moving. When they arrive in a new country this is often with many uncertainties including finding work, where to live, new laws, new cultural norms, language or accent issues, possible [[racism]] and other exclusionary behaviour towards them and their family. These barriers act to limit international migration (scenarios where populations move ''en masse'' to other continents, creating huge population surges, and their associated strain on infrastructure and services, ignore these inherent limits on migration.)

==As political issue==
{{Refimprove|section|date=July 2008}}

The political debate about immigration is now a feature of most developed countries.

Some, such as [[Japan]], traditionally found alternate ways of filling the role normally filled by immigrants (for example, greater [[automation]] to compensate for labor shortages), and designed immigration laws specifically to prevent immigrants from remaining within the country. However, globalization, as well as low birth rates and an aging work force, has forced even Japan to reconsider its immigration policy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=487 |title=Japanese Immigration Policy: Responding to Conflicting Pressures | publisher=Migration Information Source |accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref>

Residents of one member nation of the [[European Union]] are allowed to work in other member nations with little to no restriction on movement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/eures/main.jsp?&countryId=&accessing=0&content=1&restrictions=0&step=0&acro=free&lang=en |title=European Union - Free Movement | publisher=European Union | accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref> Due to this policy, traditionally homogenous countries which usually sent a significant portion of their population overseas, such as [[Italy]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]] are seeing an influx of immigrants from EU countries with lower per capita annual earning rates, triggering nationwide immigration debates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/realism-is-not-racism-in-the-immigration-debate-1198337.html |title= Independent: "Realism is not racism in the immigration debate"| publisher= independent.ie |accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cicerofoundation.org/lectures/bertozzi_nov02.html |title="Italy's Recent Change From An Emigration Country to An Immigration Country and Its Impact on Italy's Refugee and Migration Policy" by Andrea Bertozzi| publisher= Cicero Foundation |accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref>

[[Spain]], meanwhile, is seeing growing illegal immigration from [[Africa]]. As Spain is the closest EU member nation to Africa, it is physically easiest for African emigrants to reach. This has led to debate both within Spain and between Spain and other EU members. Spain has asked for border control assistance from other EU nations; those nations have responded that Spain has brought the wave of African illegals on itself by granting amnesty to hundreds of thousands of immigrants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5369986.stm |title=BBC: EU nations clash over immigration|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref>

The [[United Kingdom]] and [[Germany]] have seen major immigration since the end of World War II and have been debating the issue for decades. Foreign workers were brought in to those countries to help rebuild after the war, and many stayed. Political debates about immigration typically focus on statistics, the immigration law and policy, and the implementation of existing restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1050110,00.html |title=Deutsche Welle: Germans Consider U.S. Experience in Immigration Debate |accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/uk/2002/race/short_history_of_immigration.stm |title=BBC: Short History of Immigration|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref> In some European countries the debate in the 1990s was focused on asylum seekers, but restrictive policies within the European Union, as well as a reduction in armed conflict in Europe and neighboring regions, have sharply reduced asylum seekers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/4308839.stm |title=BBC: Analysis: Europe's asylum trends|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref>

In the United States political debate on immigration has flared repeatedly since the US became a nation, generally at times when an ethnically distinct group is moving in large numbers to the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/07/AR2006050700721.html |title=Washington Post: U.S. Immigration Debate Is a Road Well Traveled|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref> Since September 11, 2001, it has become an extremely hot issue due to perceived security and economic threats from outsiders on one side and a push for more opportunity for legal immigration on the other. It was a central topic of the 2008 election cycle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4850634.stm |title=BBC: Q&A: US immigration debate|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref>

The politics of immigration have become increasingly associated with others issues, such as [[national security]], [[terrorism]], and in western Europe especially, with the presence of [[Islam]] as a new major religion. Some components of [[conservative]] movements see an unassimilated, economically deprived, and generally hostile immigrant population as a threat to national stability<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/1571 | title=Brussels Journal: Why Muslim Immigration is a Threat to Western Democracy |accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref>; other elements of [[conservative]] movements welcome immigrant labor. Those with security concerns cite the [[2005 civil unrest in France]] that point to the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]] as an example of the value conflicts arising from immigration of [[Muslims in Western Europe]]. Because of all these associations, immigration has become an emotional political issue in many European nations.

==Ethics==
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2007}}

Although [[freedom of movement]] is often recognized as a [[civil right]], the freedom only applies to movement within national borders: it may be guaranteed by the [[constitution]] or by human rights legislation. Additionally, this freedom is often limited to [[citizen]]s and excludes others. No [[state]] currently allows full freedom of movement across its borders, and international [[human rights]] treaties do not confer a general right to enter another state. According to Article 13 of the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]], citizens may not be forbidden to leave their country. There is no similar provision regarding entry of non-citizens. Those who reject this distinction on ethical grounds, argue that the freedom of movement both within and between countries is a basic human right, and that the restrictive immigration policies, typical of nation-states, violate this human right of freedom of movement.<ref>Theresa Hayter, ''Open Borders: The Case Against Immigration Controls'', London: Pluto Press, 2000.</ref> Such arguments are common among anti-state ideologies like [[anarchism]] and [[libertarianism]].

Where immigration is permitted, it is typically selective. Ethnic selection, such as the [[White Australia policy]], has generally disappeared, but priority is usually given to the educated, skilled, and wealthy. Less privileged individuals, including the mass of poor people in low-income countries, cannot avail of these immigration opportunities. This inequality has also been criticised as conflicting with the principle of [[equal opportunities]], which apply (at least in theory) within democratic nation-states. The fact that the door is closed for the unskilled, while at the same time many developed countries have a huge demand for unskilled labour, is a major factor in [[illegal immigration]]. The contradictory nature of this policy - which specifically disadvantages the unskilled immigrants while exploiting their labour - has also been criticised on ethical grounds.

Immigration polices which selectively grant freedom of movement to targeted individuals are intended to produce a net economic gain for the host country. They can also mean net loss for a poor donor country through the loss of the educated minority - the [[brain drain]]. This can exacerbate the [[Global justice|global inequality]] in [[standards of living]] that provided the motivation for the individual to migrate in the first place. An example of the 'competition for skilled labour' is active recruitment of health workers by [[First World]] countries, from the [[Third World]].

==Immigration by continent==
{{Africa topic|Immigration to}}
{{South America topic|Immigration to}}
{{North America topic|Immigration to}}
{{Asia topic|Immigration to}}
{{Oceania topic|Immigration to}}
{{Immigration to Europe}}

==Immigration by country==

Following [[Poland]]'s entry into the EU in May 2004 it is estimated that by the start of 2007 375,000 Poles have registered to work in the UK, although the total Polish population in the UK is believed to be 750,000. Many Poles work in seasonal occupations and a large number are likely to move back and forth including between Ireland and other EU Western nations.<ref>[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2110192,00.html 750,000 and rising: how Polish workers have built a home in Britain].</ref>

According to [[Eurostat]],<ref>[http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2006/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2006_MONTH_05/3-19052006-EN-AP.PDF Eurostat News Release on Immigration in EU]</ref> Some EU member states are currently receiving large-scale immigration: for instance [[Spain]], where the economy has created more than half of all the new jobs in the EU over the past five years.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,,1830838,00.html Guardian Article on Spanish Immigration]</ref> The EU, in 2005, had an overall net gain from international migration of +1.8 million people. This accounts for almost 85% of Europe's total population growth in 2005.<ref>[http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?ID=402 Europe: Population and Migration in 2005]</ref> In 2004, total 140,033 people immigrated to [[France]]. Of them, 90,250 were from [[Africa]] and 13,710 from [[Europe]].<ref>[http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/countrydata/data.cfm Inflow of third-country nationals by country of nationality]</ref> In 2005, immigration fell slightly to 135,890.<ref>[http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/France_Elections050307.pdf Immigration and the 2007 French Presidential Elections]</ref> In recent years, immigration has accounted for more than half of [[Norway]]'s population growth. In 2006, Statistics Norway's (SSB) counted a record 45,800 immigrants arriving in Norway — 30% higher than 2005.<ref>[http://www.workpermit.com/news/2007-05-08/norway/record-immigration-statistics-2006.htm Immigration to Norway increasing]</ref> At the beginning of 2007, there were 415,300 persons in Norway with an immigrant background (i.e. immigrants, or born of immigrant parents), comprising 8.3 per cent of the total population.<ref>[http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/02/01/10/innvbef_en/ Immigrant population]</ref>

[[Canada]] has the [[Immigration to Canada#Immigration rate|highest per capita net immigration rate in the world]],<ref name="highest immigration">{{cite web |author=Benjamin Dolin and Margaret Young, Law and Government Division |publisher=Library of Parliament |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/bp190-e.htm
|title=Canada's Immigration Program |date=[[2004-10-31]]|accessdate=2006-11-29}}</ref> driven by [[Economic impact of immigration to Canada|economic policy]] and [[Immigration to Canada#Immigration categories|family reunification]]. In 2001, 250,640 people immigrated to Canada. Newcomers settle mostly in the major urban areas of [[Toronto]], [[Vancouver]] and [[Montreal]]. By the 1990s and 2000s, a majority of Canada's immigrants came from [[Asia]].<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/countrydata/country.cfm Inflow of foreign-born population by country of birth, by year]</ref> Canadian society is often depicted as being a very progressive, diverse, and [[multicultural]]. Accusing a person of racism in Canada is usually considered a serious slur.<ref>{{Citation|last = Fontaine|first = Phil|author-link = Phil Fontaine|url = http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=/en/lp/lo/lswe/we/special_projects/RacismFreeInitiative/speeches/Fontaine.shtml&hs=|title = Modern Racism in Canada by Phil Fontaine|place = Queen's University|date = April 24, 1998}}</ref> All political parties are now cautious about criticising of the high level of immigration, because, as noted by the [[Globe and Mail]], "in the early 1990s, the old [[Reform Party of Canada|Reform Party]] was branded 'racist' for suggesting that immigration levels be lowered from 250,000 to 150,000."<ref name=Globevolpe>[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v4/sub/MarketingPage?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20051212.wxsmart12%2FBNStory%2FspecialDecision2006%2F&ord=1155737424463&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true Is the current model of immigration the best one for Canada?], [[Globe and Mail]], 12 December 2005, URL accessed 16 August 2006</ref>

[[Japan]] accepted just 16 [[refugees]] in 1999, while the [[United States]] took in 85,010 for resettlement, according to the UNHCR. [[New Zealand]], which is smaller than Japan, accepted 1,140 refugees in 1999. Just 305 persons were recognized as refugees by Japan from 1981, when Japan ratified the [[U.N.]] [[Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees]], to 2002.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_2003_Feb_24/ai_98002254 Japan's refugee policy]</ref><ref>[http://www.iwanami.co.jp/jpworld/text/ClosedCountry01.html Questioning Japan's 'Closed Country' Policy on Refugees]</ref> Japanese Minister [[Taro Aso]] has called Japan a "one race" nation.<ref>[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?nn20051018a7.htm Aso says Japan is nation of 'one race']</ref> This comment was heavily criticized by both Japanese and foreign media.

In 2004 the number of people who became [[United Kingdom|British]] citizens rose to a record 140,795 - a rise of 12% on the previous year. This number had risen dramatically since 2000. The overwhelming majority of new citizens come from [[Africa]] (32%) and [[Asia]] (40%), the largest three groups being people from [[Pakistan]], [[India]] and [[Somalia]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4706862.stm BBC Thousands in UK citizenship queue]</ref> In 2005, an estimated 565,000 migrants arrived to live in the UK for at least a year, most of the migrants were people from [[Asia]], the [[Indian sub-continent]] and [[Africa]],<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/02/uimmigrants5005.xml 1,500 immigrants arrive in Britain daily, report says]</ref> while 380,000 people emigrated from the UK for a year or more, with [[Australia]], [[Spain]] and [[France]] most popular destinations.<ref>[http://www.aol.in/news/story/2007042004189012000001/index.html Indians largest group among new immigrants to UK]</ref>

British emigration towards [[Southern Europe]] is of special relevance. Citizens from the European Union make up a growing proportion of immigrants in [[Spain]]. They mainly come from countries like the UK and Germany, but the British case is of special interest due to its magnitude. The British authorities estimate that the British population in Spain at 700,000.<ref>
[http://www.byebyeblighty.com/1/british-immigrants-swamping-spanish-villages/ Bye Bye Blighty article: British Immigrants Swamping Spanish Villages?]
</ref>
Spain is the most favoured European destination for Britons leaving the UK.<ref>
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6161705.stm BBC article: Btits Abroad Country by Country]
</ref>
Since 2000, [[Spain]] has absorbed more than three million immigrants, growing its population by almost 10%. Immigrant population now tops over 4.5 million. According to residence permit data for 2005, about 500,000 were [[Morocco|Moroccan]], another 500,000 were [[Ecuador]]ian,<ref>[http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/hispanic/world_international/pns_immigration_shift_1204.asp Immigration Shift: Many Latin Americans Choosing Spain Over U.S.]</ref> more than 200,000 were [[Romania]]n, and 260,000 were [[Colombia]]n.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_21/b4035066.htm Spain: Immigrants Welcome]
</ref><ref>
[http://www.ine.es/prodyser/pubweb/anuario06/anu06_02demog.pdf Instituto Nacional de Estadística: Avance del Padrón Municipal a 1 de enero de 2006. Datos provisionales]
</ref> In 2005 alone, a regularisation programme increased the legal immigrant population by 700,000 people.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/may/09/spain.gilestremlett Spain grants amnesty to 700,000 migrants]</ref>

[[Portugal]], long a country of emigration,<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/portugal/48.htm Portugal - Emigration]</ref> has now become a country of net immigration, and not just from the former [[Portuguese empire|colonies]]; by the end of 2003, legal immigrants represented about 4% of the population, and the largest communities were from [[Cape Verde]], [[Brazil]], [[Angola]], [[Guinea-Bissau]], [[UK]], [[Spain]] and [[Ukraine]].<ref>Charis Dunn-Chan ,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4436276.stm Portugal sees integration progress], [[BBC]]</ref>

The overall level of immigration to [[Australia]] has grown substantially during the last decade. Net overseas migration increased from 30,000 in 1993<ref name="abs">Australian Bureau of Statistics, [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/0BD75000987B71A0CA256F7200832F19?Open International migration]</ref> to 118,000 in 2003-04.<ref name="abs2">Australian Bureau of Statistics, [http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/036835783E0F360CCA256FCD0072AB46 3101.0 Australian Demographic Statistics]</ref> The largest components of immigration are the skilled migration and family re-union programs. In recent years the [[mandatory detention in Australia|mandatory detention]] of [[unauthorised arrival]]s [[boat people|by boat]] has generated great levels of controversy. During the 2004-05, total 123,424 people immigrated to Australia. Of them, 17,736 were from [[Africa]], 54,804 from [[Asia]], 21,131 from [[Oceania]], 18,220 from [[United Kingdom]], 1,506 from [[South America]], and 2,369 from [[Eastern Europe]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /> 131,000 people migrated to Australia in 2005-06<ref>[http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2006/v06297.htm Settler numbers on the rise]</ref> and migration target for 2006-07 was 144,000.<ref>[http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/20planning.htm Australian Immigration Fact Sheet 20. Migration Program Planning Levels]</ref>

[[New Zealand]] has relatively open [[Immigration to New Zealand|immigration policies]]. 23% of the population was born overseas, mainly in [[Asia]], [[Oceania]], and [[UK]], one of the highest rates in the world. In 2004-2005, a target of 45,000 immigrants was set by the New Zealand immigration Service and represented 1.5% of the total population. According to the 2001 census projections, by 2050 57% of all New Zealand children will have [[Maori]] or [[Polynesians|Pacific]] ancestry, while 68% will be non-European.

From 1850 to 1930, the foreign born population of the United States increased from 2.2 million to 14.2 million. The highest percentage of foreign born people in the United States were found in this period, with the peak in 1890 at 14.7%. During this time, the lower costs of Atlantic Ocean travel in time and fare made it more advantageous for immigrants to move to the U.S. than in years prior. Following this time period immigration fell because in 1924 Congress implemented a quota system in which each country was only allowed to have 2% more immigrants per year based on their respective numbers in 1890. The [[Immigration Act of 1924]] favored immigrant source countries that already had many immigrants in the U.S. by 1890.<ref> [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/id/87718.htm Immigration Act of 1924]</ref> Immigration continued to fall throughout the 1940's and 1950's, but it increased again afterwards. but was still low by historical standards.<ref> [http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0029/twps0029.html] Jenson, Campbell, and Emily Lennon. "Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign born population." </ref>
After 2000, [[immigration to the United States]] numbered approximately 1,000,000 per year. In 2006, 1.27 million immigrants were granted [[legal residence]]. [[Mexico]] has been the leading source of new U.S. residents for over two decades; and since 1998,
[[China]], [[India]] and the [[Philippines]] have been in the top four sending countries every year.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/countrydata/data.cfm | title = United States: Top Ten Sending Countries, By Country of Birth, 1986 to 2006 (table available by menu selection) | publisher = Migration Policy Institute|year =2007| accessdate = 2007-07-05}}</ref> The U.S. has often been called the "melting pot", a name derived from United States' rich tradition of immigrants coming to the US looking for something better and having their cultures melded and incorporated into the fabric of the country. Emma Lazarus, in a poem entitled "The New Colossus," which is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty tells of the invitation extended to those wanting to make the US their home. "… Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…" (Encyclopedia Americana, 1998, Vol. 25, 637) Since [[World War II]], more [[refugees]] have found homes in the U.S. than any other nation and more than two million [[Immigration to the United States#Asylum for refugees|refugees]] have arrived in the U.S. since 1980.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Of the top ten countries accepting resettled refugees in 2006, the United States accepted more than twice as much as the next nine countries combined, although some smaller countries accept more refugees per capita.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Balin, Bryan. [https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/32826/State%20Immigration%20Legislation%20and%20Immigrant%20Flows%20032008.pdf?sequence=4 ''State Immigration Legislation and Immigrant Flows: An Analysis''] Johns Hopkins University, 2008.
* Bauder, Harald. ''Labor Movement: How Migration Regulates Labor Markets'', New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
* [http://www.cis.org Center for Immigration Studies] Refer to "Publications" for research on illegal immigration, demographic trends, terrorism concerns, environmental impact, and other subjects.
* Esbenshade, Jill. [http://www.ailf.org/ipc/special_report/sr_sept07.shtml ''Division and Dislocation: Regulating Immigration through Local Housing Ordinances'']. Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Law Foundation, Summer 2007.
* Ewing, Walter A. [http://www.ailf.org/ipc/border_insecurity_spring06.shtml ''Border Insecurity: U.S. Border-Enforcement Policies and National Security''], Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Law Foundation, Spring 2006.
* Freeman, Joe. ''Living and Working in the European Union for Non-EU Nationals''. Lulu.com, 2007. ISBN 0-9786254-0-4
* Immigration Policy Center. [http://www.ailf.org/ipc/special_report/special_report2005_bridging.shtml ''Economic Growth & Immigration: Bridging the Demographic Divide'']. Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Law Foundation, November 2005.
* [[Philippe Legrain|Legrain, Philippe]]. ''Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them''. Little Brown, 2007. ISBN 0316732486
* Massey, Douglas S. [http://www.ailf.org/ipc/policy_reports_2005_beyondborder.shtml ''Beyond the Border Buildup: Towards a New Approach to Mexico-U.S. Migration'']. Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Law Foundation, September 2005.
* Massey, Douglas S., Joaquín Arango, Hugo Graeme, Ali Kouaouci, Adela , Pellegrino, and J. Edward Taylor.''Worlds in Motion: Understanding International Migration at the End of the Millennium''. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN 0-19-928276-5
* Meilander, Peter C. ''Towards a Theory of Immigration''. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001. ISBN 978-0312240349
* Molina, Natalia. ''Fit to Be Citizens?: Public Health and Race in Los Angeles, 1879-1940''. University of California Press, 2006.
* [[Dowell Myers|Myers, Dowell]]. ''[[Immigrants and Boomers: Forging a New Social Contract for the Future of America]]''. Russell Sage Foundation, 2007. ISBN 978-0-87154-636-4
* Passel, Jeffrey S. [http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=44 ''Estimates of the Size and Characteristics of the Undocumented Population'']. Pew Hispanic Center, March 2005.
* Passel, Jeffrey S. [http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=74 ''Growing Share of Immigrants Choosing Naturalization'']. Pew Hispanic Center, March 2007.
* Passel, Jeffrey S. and Roberto Suro. [http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=53 ''Rise, Peak and Decline: Trends in U.S. Immigration'']. Pew Hispanic Center, September 2005.
* Pearce, Susan C. [http://www.ailf.org/ipc/im_women_summer06.shtml ''Immigrant Women in the United States: A Demographic Portrait'']. Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Law Foundation, Summer 2006.
* [http://sociology.princeton.edu/Faculty/Portes/ Portes, Alejandro] and [http://borocz.net József Böröcz], [http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~jborocz/apbjimr.pdf "Contemporary Immigration: Theoretical Perspectives on Its Determinants and Modes of Incorporation"] International Migration Review, 23,3, Silver Anniversary Issue, International Migration: an Assessment for the 90's. (Autumn, 1989), pp. 606-630.
* Rumbaut, Ruben and Walter Ewing. [http://www.ailf.org/ipc/special_report/sr_feb07_resources.shtml "The Myth of Immigrant Criminality and the Paradox of Assimilation: Incarceration Rates among Native and Foreign-Born Men,"] The Immigration Policy Center, Spring 2007.
* Valle, Isabel. ''Fields of Toil: A Migrant Family's Journey''. ISBN 978-0-87422-101-5
* West, Lorane A. ''Color: Latino Voices in the Pacific Northwest''. ISBN 978-0-87422-274-6
* Zolberg, Aristide. ''A Nation by Design: Immigration Policy in the Fashioning of America''. Harvard University Press, 2006. ISBN 0674022181

==External links==
{{external links}}
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{{Wiktionary}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.netegle.com International Immigration Analysis]
* [http://www.pstalker.com/migration/index.php Stalker's Guide to International Migration] - Comprehensive interactive website on migration
* [http://www.casahistoria.net/emigration.htm Casahistoria - European emigration since 1800] - links to 19th & 20th century global European emigration
* [http://www.cusmia.org The Center for U.S. - Mexico Immigration Analysis]
* [http://www.migrationinformation.org/ Migration Information Source]
* [http://www.december18.net/ December 18] International advocacy and resource centre on the human rights of migrants.
* [http://www.americas.org/item_21011 The History of Immigration], by Jorge Majfud <!-- link not working as of 12:30 AM CST Feb 7, 2008 -->
* [http://www.eurasylum.org Eurasylum] Many relevant documents on immigration, asylum and refugee policy, and human trafficking/smuggling internationally
* [http://www.iom.int/ International Organisation for Migration]
* [http://www.unesco.org/migration UNESCO Programme on International Migration and Multicultural Policies]
* [http://www.un.org/esa/population/migration UN - International Migration and Development]
* [http://www.oecd.org/document/2/0,3343,en_2649_39023663_38060354_1_1_1_1,00.html OECD Migration Data]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/world/04/migration/html/migration_boom.stm BBC News Factfile: Global migration]
* [http://cdim.cerium.ca/article921.html The Foreigner and the Right to Justice in the Aftermath of September 11] François Crépeau, Canada Research Chair in International Migration Law University of Montreal
* [http://www.immigrationarchive.com Immigration Newspaper Archive] A collection of more than 50,000 searchable newspaper articles on Immigration.
* [http://diplomacymonitor.com/stu/dm.nsf/issued?openform&cat=Migration Migration] on the [[Diplomacy Monitor]]
* [http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/worldmapper/display.php?selected=15 A world map with territory sizes adjusted to the number of immigrants living in those countries]
*[http://www.uam.es/otroscentros/TEIM/Observainmigra/obsInmigra_inicio.htm Observatorio de la Inmigración Marroquí en España - TEIM Taller de Estudios Internacionales Mediterráneos - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid]
* [http://www.empowerment-migration.net/ Empowerment & Migration] : Events and materials on migration
*[http://www.goldenventuremovie.com/ Golden Venture] A documentary film on the Golden Venture incident of 1993, a crucial turning point in US immigration policy.

[[Category:Immigration| ]]
[[Category:Demography]]
[[Category:Population]]

[[ar:هجرة]]
[[bn:অভিবাসন]]
[[bs:Imigracija]]
[[bg:Имиграция]]
[[ca:Immigració]]
[[cs:Přistěhovalectví]]
[[cy:Mewnfudo]]
[[da:Immigration]]
[[de:Einwanderung]]
[[el:Μετανάστευση]]
[[es:Inmigración]]
[[eo:Enmigrado]]
[[eu:Immigrazio]]
[[fa:مهاجرت]]
[[fr:Immigration]]
[[ko:이민]]
[[hr:Imigracija]]
[[io:Enmigro]]
[[id:Imigrasi]]
[[is:Aðflutningur]]
[[it:Immigrazione]]
[[jv:Imigrasi]]
[[ms:Imigrasi]]
[[nl:Immigratie]]
[[ja:移民]]
[[no:Innvandring]]
[[nn:Innvandring]]
[[pl:Imigracja]]
[[pt:Imigração]]
[[ru:Иммиграция населения]]
[[sah:Иммиграция]]
[[sq:Imigrimi]]
[[simple:Immigrant]]
[[sk:Prisťahovalectvo]]
[[sr:Имиграција]]
[[fi:Maahanmuutto]]
[[sv:Invandring]]
[[vi:Nhập cư]]
[[uk:Імміграція]]
[[zh:移民]]

Revision as of 19:37, 12 March 2009

eat ice cream it is good for you eeeeeesh rooooooolz

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