TYPES OF MIGRANT GROUPSVoluntary versus Involuntary Groups

MIGRANT GROUPS A Migrant is a person who leaves his/her primary

cultural contexts in which he/she was raised and moves to a new cultural context for an extended period of time. The transition from cultures may be easy or difficult

—more difficult if the traveler is at a disadvantage, easier if the traveler has an advantage.

An example of an advantaged traveler would be a business person who is paid to live abroad while working. Given money to travel with and receive additional pay Easier for them to meet people through their work

An example of a disadvantaged migrant would be a refugee who had to relocate out of necessity. May have limited financial resources More difficult and fewer opportunities to meet new people

VOLUNTARY MIGRANTS

There are two types of voluntary travelers:

Sojourners – travelers who move into new cultural contexts for a limited time and for a specific purpose. International students who study abroad Missionaries Corporate personnel

Applied it to society: Idol Gives Back In this Youtube video, celebrities are featured who have

traveled to Etheopia to raise awareness of the social problems that exist there. This video gives important information about what is going on in the world, and gives us an outside perspective.Photo: http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/images/Olmert/England09/GroupHiRes.jpg

VOLUNTARY MIGRANTS

The second type of voluntary migrant is an immigrant – Someone who voluntarily leaves one country to settle in another.

Reasons immigrants come to the US: To join other family members Employment Escape war, famine, or poverty

Currently there are five major countries that officially accept international migrants as permanent residents: The US, Canada, Australia, Israel, and New

Zealand

VOLUNTARY MIGRANTS

Migrant Labor: Cheap manual labor Highly skilled intellectual labor

More often now, we see that many migrant workers are women. Increasingly women are doing manual labor. This recent pattern of female migration is being

labeled as a “world-wide gender revolution”. Immigration affects us directly in California.

This link gives information about immigration in our state. This is important information to know because it gives us insight on how this affects our communities.

http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/jtf/JTF_ImmigrantsJTF.pdf

INVOLUNTARY MIGRANTS

Two types of involuntary migrants: Short-term and long term refugees. Most refugees come from developing countries

that flee to nearby countries to avoid civil war of famine.

This youtube video gives an example of a group of refugees from Somalia, Africa (2008) who fled to Kenya to escape war in Somalia. From this video it gives us an idea of what some people from outside countries go through with a forced migration from their homes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2j2S78pTck&feature=player_detailpage

INVOLUNTARY MIGRANTS

In 2006 there were approximately 9.9 million refugees, which was the highest in 4 years. Also in 2006 the highest number of refugees

came from Afghanistan and Iraq, and fled to neighboring countries Pakistan and Iran.

Similarly, many other countries that deal with internal conflict have experienced the fleeing of refugees (i.e. Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia).

Whether the refugee migrated internationally or domestically, the majority of them wish to return home as soon as possible.

Photo: http://www.delaus.ec.europa.eu/images/refugees.jpg

QUIZ

A person that travels internationally for a specific purpose and limited amount of time would be part of what migrant group? A. voluntary immigrant B. Involuntary immigrant C. Voluntary Sojourners D. Involuntary Sojourners

The primary reason for immigrants to come to the United States is in search of Freedom. True or Fals?

ANSWERS:

B. voluntary sojourners

False – the primary reason is to join other family members who are already in the US. Other Primary reasons are to escape war, famine, or poverty.

REFERENCES

Immigrants in California. (2008, June).Retrieved fromhttp://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/jtf/JTF_ImigrantsJTF.pdf.