Factors that Influence Mass Migration

Introduction

Humans, as a species, are always striving to improve our lifestyle. From the Neanderthals to modern-day humans, the primary objectives are survival and comfort. Sometimes, in the quest to survive, it becomes necessary to migrate, either far away or somewhere close. But what are the circumstances that lead modern humans to leave their homes and families to move to other countries? Throughout this research, I will explain the factors influencing the decisions people make to move to either a different country, continent, or somewhere within the borders of their country of origin.

Factors that Influence Mass Migration

Mass migrations have always occurred, driven by different circumstances that compel people to make such drastic moves. In the current situation, for instance, civil war in Syria and ongoing threats of terrorism have left many refugees with no option but to move towards Europe or the United States. Meanwhile, citizens from Pakistan, India, and the Philippines seek better opportunities in the booming nation of Qatar. Another mass migration occurring globally comes from South and Central America, where gang violence, corrupt governments, and drug cartel problems are at the top of the list of reasons why people from countries like Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Venezuela are deciding to leave.

Migration as a Weapon and Its Implications

Some of the sources used for this research were found at Clovis Community College. An article by Dr. Kelly M. Greenhill, titled "Migration as a Weapon in Theory and in Practice," provides insight into how migration can be used to affect other countries (Greenhill, 2010). Meanwhile, an article found in The New York Times by Rod Nordland, "Mass Migration Crisis and It May Yet Get Worse," explains how waves of mass migration from the Middle East can have an even bigger effect on nations across the globe (Nordland, 2015).

Historical and Current Causes of Migration

As humans, we have always moved from one place to another as part of our nature. The reasons for migration can vary from environmental issues such as natural disasters to political, social, and economic factors. Sometimes migration is not a choice but a necessity; it is our survival instinct. Fleeing from war and violence caused by gangs and drug cartels is now very common. Besides tragedies and misfortunes being the main reasons for migration, some people move for work, education, and family reunification.

It is often said that reducing immigration from third-world countries requires developing the country and its economy. However, this model fails to recognize that development does not stop immigration. Countries that have been developing for years, such as Mexico, Turkey, and the Philippines, still have some of the highest immigration rates on the planet. In fact, this is a reverse theory; it is known that countries that begin developing their infrastructure or other sectors attract more migrants because of the opportunities created.

Case Study: Qatar

A few decades ago, the Gulf state of Qatar was only known as a small trading outpost, primarily involved in pearl trading. After discovering that Qatar could produce enormous quantities of crude oil, it was modernized to resemble a capital city, a transformation made possible by migrant workers. Qatar's population has tripled since it was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, attracting many foreign workers.

For blue-collar workers, Qatar offers jobs, regular income, and the ability to support families back home. However, the cost for a migrant worker is high, as their passports are often held by their employers and their working conditions are not ideal. White-collar workers, on the other hand, receive excellent opportunities, often being paid high salaries and exempt from certain taxes such as home and income tax.

Conflict-Driven Migration

War never changes, and unfortunately, in a war, there are always losers and very few winners. The peaceful uprising against the president of Syria seven years ago eventually turned into a full civil war. Before the conflict began, many Syrians were complaining about high unemployment rates. A significant mistake made by the Syrian government was the use of deadly force against protestors demanding the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. These actions led Syrian citizens to arm themselves and defend against a violent regime, as President Assad promised to dismantle those he called "terrorists." As well as causing thousands of deaths, there are 5.6 million victims seeking asylum abroad in countries such as Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States.

Migration in South and Central America

Across South and Central America, violence has increased. El Salvador is a prime example of people just trying to survive. After a fierce civil war that lasted twelve years from 1980 to 1992, many citizens were left without homes, and some even lost family members. Throughout the 1980s, the war between guerrillas and the government produced multiple human rights violations, including torture, mutilation, kidnapping, and rape. During the war, many people fled El Salvador seeking a better life. Fast forward to the twenty-first century, and violence has not stopped; thousands of people continue to leave because of the increased violence. After the war ended, many people had no choice but to join the gangs that were slowly forming across the country, such as MS-13 and Barrio 18. Both gangs would fight for territory across the country for the next few years. Not only are many gang members killed during these constant standoffs, but innocent lives are also taken. This type of violence has led many who have not fled the country to either join the gangs or face potential death.

Corruption and Migration: The Venezuelan Crisis

It is known that a corrupt leader and government can cause major damage to a nation. Hundreds of Venezuelans are left with no choice but to leave their nation. This crisis is comparable to the one in Syria and is one of the biggest migration crises in South American history. Many citizens choose the safer route by moving to their neighboring country, Colombia, which has led to an increase in its population, prompting the Colombian government to suspend the issuance of temporary visas for Venezuelans. The current crisis has seen an increase in the death toll of Venezuelan citizens, with children being the most affected due to malnutrition and lack of medicine. Starvation and persecution are the main causes of death among Venezuelans. Roughly 250,000 Venezuelans have migrated to Colombia since August 2017.

Conclusion

As humans, we have the desire to survive and better ourselves. Humanitarian missions have been carried out by multiple governments, but the number of people in need increases every day. Latin America has seen the aftermath of civil wars and crises. After Fidel Castro's 1950 revolution, many displaced citizens headed towards the United States. During the civil war in El Salvador, a quarter of its population perished, leaving many with nothing left.

Sometimes, the aid given by other countries is not enough to help a nation recover. Nations are torn apart because of weak leaders or government corruption, causing citizens to become stressed and seek better lives. It is a fact that humans strive to survive and will do whatever it takes to improve their wealth and feel more secure. Immigration is a very delicate topic, with many opposing and supporting it. However, as stated previously, there will always be people seeking a better life.

References:

• Greenhill, K. M. (2010). Migration as a Weapon in Theory and in Practice. Clovis Community College.
• Nordland, R. (2015). Mass Migration Crisis and It May Yet Get Worse. The New York Times.