1. Case Study (AC): USA
1.1. Patterns of immigration and Emigration
1.1.1. 2013 there were 41.3 million immigrants in the USA, 13% of total population
1.1.1.1. Included 78 different nationalities with over 50,000 people each amd 9 with over a million people each
1.1.2. Main contributors to immigration numbers is mexico (28%) India (5%) and China (5%)
1.1.2.1. USA has a net migration gain, with only 2.98 million US citizens living abroad and the number is growing
1.1.2.1.1. Main destination is Mexico, but also Canada and the UK
1.1.3. Why is the USA so attractive to Migrants
1.1.3.1. Positive immigration policy with possibility of a greencard
1.1.3.1.1. Employment opportunities for low and high skilled workers
1.1.4. Factors that impact patterns of immigration and emigration
1.1.4.1. Political
1.1.4.1.1. USMCA trade bloc not only stimulates growth in between US, Mexico and canada it also helps to explain an increase in migrants
1.1.4.1.2. Other political factors like alliances and relations with countries may act to explain the increasingly large amount of US citizens leaving for countries like the UK
1.1.4.2. Economic
1.1.4.2.1. Wage differentials and opportunities to send remittance, may explain the significant net migration gain of 50 million compared to 5 million leaving
1.1.4.3. Social
1.1.4.3.1. Bettwe education and housing services, the US has become and staple image for a good quality of life, encouraging migration
1.1.4.3.2. The US is dedicated to protecting refugees as part of its migration policies, as a result it may explain why the US is so appealing to migrants
1.2. Migration Policies
1.2.1. Immigration and Naturalisation act is the body of law which governs current immigration policy, which allows a 675,000 permanent migrants annually
1.2.1.1. This is often divided amongst there policies
1.2.1.1.1. Protecting refugees
1.2.1.1.2. Promoting Diversity
1.2.1.1.3. Humanitarian Relief
1.2.1.1.4. 140,000 visas available for high skilled workers, who are valuable to US economy
1.2.2. Factors that impact Migration Policies
1.2.2.1. Political
1.2.2.1.1. USMCA trade bloc stimulates 1.4 billion in trade a day, and allows for economic citizens who work in TNCs that operate in more than one of the countries to migrate
1.2.2.2. Economic
1.2.2.2.1. The Immigration and Naturalisation Act give out 675,000 visas annually, 140,000 green card visas available
1.2.2.3. Social
1.2.2.3.1. Out of the Immigration and Naturalisation acs 675,000 visas 70% of which are dedicated to family reunification
1.2.2.3.2. Social factors like encouraging social diversity, and reducing inequality caused by conflict may encourage the US migration policies
1.3. Interdependances created by migration UPDATED
1.3.1. Social and Cultural interdependance
1.3.1.1. In 2013 over 11.5 million Mexicans lived in the USA and 1 million Americans in Mexico
1.3.1.1.1. Each of the two countries has its largest diaspora living in the other
1.3.1.1.2. Growing social and cultural connectivity between the two countries
1.3.2. Political/environmental interdependance
1.3.2.1. Political power relaitions remain imbalanced but there is increasing coordination over issues in common between the countries
1.3.2.1.1. Includes border security, drug trade, human trafficking and environmental issues such as water scarcity
1.3.2.2. NAAEC fostes proectin of the environment within their territori
1.3.3. Economic interdependance
1.3.3.1. Low skilled mexicans, many illegal, work in agriculture, construction and low paid services
1.3.3.2. Wages are much higher than in Mexico which provides Mexicans in the US with remittance opportunities
1.3.3.2.1. Amounts to $22 billion , 2% of Mexico's annual GDP
1.3.3.3. NAFTA caused US and Mexico bilateral trade to increase
1.3.3.3.1. Trade alone accounts for $1.4 billion a day between the countries
1.3.3.4. Mexican industry has benefitted
1.3.3.4.1. Most benefits seen in aerospace and IT sectors, boosted by Foreign direct investment from USA
1.4. Opportunities
1.4.1. Economic
1.4.1.1. Immigrants take many low paid jobs which native americans see as unnattractive
1.4.1.1.1. In 2013 31% of Mexican immigrants were in services, and 25% in construction
1.4.1.2. US immigration policy aims to attract highly skilled professionals
1.4.1.2.1. Main employment of immigrants from China (51%) was in business and science
1.4.1.3. Most immigrants are working age
1.4.1.3.1. Beneficial as they pay tax and decrease average age of the US's aging population
1.4.1.4. Immigrants are consumers and help with job creation and business start ups
1.4.1.4.1. Generates wealth for Americans
1.5. Challenges
1.5.1. Social
1.5.1.1. Uneven progress in integration of immigrant groups into US society
1.5.1.1.1. Size of unauthorised population is also a barrier to social cohesion and full economic and political integration
1.5.1.2. Estimated 11.5 unauthorised immigrants (6 million of which Mexican) live in the USA
1.5.1.2.1. Many migrants from other Latin American countries are attempting to cross via land route using Mexico as a transit country
1.5.2. Environmental
1.5.2.1. Where immigrant population is concentrated there are issues with supply of resources and services
1.5.2.1.1. For example the demand for water in Southern California is causing water shortages
2. Case Study (LIDC): Laos
2.1. Factors
2.1.1. Reasons to Leave Laos
2.1.1.1. Dissatisfaction of agricultural work
2.1.1.1.1. Many are subsistance farmers, so farming doesnt benefit them economically
2.1.1.2. Lack of occupations in rural areas
2.1.1.2.1. Insufficient land available for farming
2.1.1.3. Low levels of education in Laos
2.1.1.3.1. Shortage of unskilled labour in Thailand
2.1.2. Reasons to go to Thailand
2.1.2.1. Strong motivation to follow others who have returned from financially successful migrations
2.1.2.1.1. Daily minimum wage in Thailand is 200 Baht compared to 80 in Laos
2.1.3. Migration has become easier between Laos and Thailand
2.1.3.1. Their is a familiarity between Thai and Laos' culture and language
2.1.3.1.1. Improved access to Thailand across the Mekong
2.2. Migration Policies
2.2.1. Human Trafficking
2.2.1.1. Laos is a source country for human trafficking
2.2.1.1.1. 36% of popultion under 15 in 2013, so many are treated as economic resources and many are at threat to human trafficking
2.2.1.2. Recently an under age football team from Liberia was trafficked to Laos to play in the top league for Champasak United
2.2.1.2.1. Many migrants from Laos trafficked daily into Thailand in search of better opportunities
2.2.2. Working with NGO's
2.2.2.1. Due to its economic development government migration policies have been ineffective
2.2.2.1.1. They are now forced to work with NGO's to implement a human trafficking policy
2.2.3. Factors that impact migration policies
2.2.3.1. Political
2.2.3.1.1. ASEAN trade bloc
2.2.3.2. Economic
2.2.3.2.1. As a result of the low average wage of 60 baht compared to thailands minimum daily average of 200 baht, leads to a want to migrate, 22% below the absolute poverty line
2.2.3.2.2. Low GDP of 2000 USD, Laos does not have the economic capabilities or resources to integrate migration policies
2.2.3.3. Social
2.2.3.3.1. NGOs help to assisst with the Prevention, prosecution and protection campaigns
2.3. Interdependances created by migration
2.3.1. Unskilled labour boosts Thailand construction and agriculture industry (essential to thailand)
2.3.2. Laos and Thailand work together to manage natural disasters like floods with investment and joint projects
2.3.2.1. Mekong river commission manages flooding and Hydro power projects
2.3.3. Construction of rail links between Laos and Thailand and Vietnam
2.3.3.1. This opens up Laos to trade opportunities
2.3.3.2. High speed rail link with China (trade stimulated)
2.3.3.2.1. Economic growth
2.3.4. Laos-Thailand Cooperation Committee
2.3.4.1. Strengthened trade and communication between countries
2.3.4.1.1. Through this Thailand has funded a large drug treatment centre in Laos
2.4. Opportunities
2.4.1. Political stablilty improving in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam,
2.4.1.1. Economic cooperation between them (400 vietnamese investment projects in Laos)
2.4.2. Migration corridor between Laos and Thailand is one of the largest in ASEAN bloc
2.4.2.1. Stimulates political and economic cooperation
2.4.3. Remittances become very important to returnees and their family
2.4.3.1. 22% of families live below poverty line in Laos
2.4.3.1.1. Money from remittances can be used to purchase domestic appliances and agircultural machinery
2.5. Challenges
2.5.1. Most economic migrants from Laos are unskilled with limited education and many under 18
2.5.1.1. Suceptible to human trafficking and labour exploitation
2.5.2. Loss of skilled labour such as carpenters to Thailand
2.5.2.1. This will increase if the wage difference beween the countries remain high and there is freer movement in ASEAN bloc
2.5.3. Laos garment industry is the largest sector of manufacturing
2.5.3.1. Employ many young female workers, which may be encouraged to leave for higher wages in Thailand