|
Reflections on Migrationby Patty Holley |
|
| I never considered myself a migrant.
After all, immigrants were people who left their homeland and came to the
United States in search of "a better life." However, after taking a
closer look at the issues of migration, I have changed my mind. I was born in Kansas, raised in Missouri and moved to Arizona for my adult life. Therefore, I, too, am an immigrant. Aren't we all? Very few of us reside in the locale in which we were born. The emphasis of this Migration/Culture class has been one of exposing the students to the "other side" of the migrants story. The human side including the desperation experienced by those who make the choice to leave their homeland in search of something different. This differences include many aspects of life, from relief from governmental oppression, economic instability, warfare and political strife. Refugees are immigrants that had to leave in fear of their personal safety. Refugees usually have no choice, except to pack up what they can and leave their homes. Some eventually get the chance to return. Many do not get that opportunity. There are those immigrants who leave their homes and sometimes, their families, to go to a host country in order to find work opportunities. Many countries have been impacted by the globalization factor. Jobs that used to be available are not longer a viable option. When they come to the United States, many U.S. citizens can't comprehend why migrants stay loyal to their home country. "Americans don't seem to understand. Their nationalism is so strong, they don't seem to respect it is other countries." (Clark) This loyalty causes feelings of mistrust and suspicions many times for U.S. citizens. In reality, U.S. citizens should learn the true positive impacts that migration flows and immigrants have on our economy. Thunderbird - The Garvin School of International Management recently released a study which assessed the monetary impacts of migrant workers and tourism dollars between Mexico and Arizona.The study offers census 2000 data for a snapshot of Arizona's Mexican population. In 2000 Arizona had 1.3 Hispanics, 1 million of Mexican decent, almost half, some 464,000, are Mexican nationals. 280 thousand of which are undocumented immigrants. The Thunderbird study found Mexican immigrants made up 18% of Arizona's workforce but account for only 8% of the state's payroll, making an average income of $12,963 a year. As a group, Mexican nationals had an estimated 3.5 billion dollars to spend in 2000. The positive impacts of migration do not get the press attention that they deserve. This class has provided me with a well-rounded exposure to the issues and impacts of migration and immigrants throughout the world. |
|
| Return to Migration & Culture home page Return to Patty's HomePage | |
