1. Key Issue #1
Why do People Migrate
Continued
Refugees:
people who have been
forced to migrate and
cannot return for fear of
persecution because of
race, nationality, religion,
membership in a social
group or political opinion.
No home until a
government accepts them.

2. Refugees Today
∗ 4/5 of refugee population
hosted by developing
countries.
∗ The 48 least developed
countries host 2.3 million
refugees.

3. Key Issue #1
Why do People Migrate
Continued
Distance of Migration
∗Most migrants relocate a short distance and
remain within the same country.
∗Long-distance migrants to other countries
head for major centers of economic activity.

4. Distance of Migration
Internal migration = permanent
movement within the same country
Two types:
∗ Interregional migration = permanent
movement from one region to another
-Minnesota to Florida
∗ Intraregional migration = permanent
movement within a region
-Winona to Rochester

6. Distance of Migration
International migration - permanent
movement from one country to another.
Two types:
∗ Voluntary migration implies that migrant has
chosen to move, largely due to economic
factors
∗ Forced migration means that migrant is
compelled to move, usually due to cultural
factors (persecution, politics)

8. Kinds of Voluntary Migration
∗ Step Migration – When a migrant follows a
path of a series of stages, or steps toward a
final destination.
* intervening opportunity – at one of the steps
along the path, pull factors encourage the
migrant to settle there.
∗ Chain Migration – When a migrant
communicates to family and friends at home,
encouraging further migration along the same
path, along kinship links.

10. Characteristics of Migrants
∗ Most long-distance migrants are male.
∗ Most long-distance migrants are adult individuals
rather than families with children.

11. Immigrant Population, by
Age and Sex, for the United
States: 2010
Native Population, by Age
and Sex, for the United
States: 2010

12. Characteristics of Migrants
to the United States
∗ 40% are young adults between 25-39. 23% of U.S.
native population is in this age band.
∗ 5% of immigrants are over age 65.
12% of U.S. native population over 65.