Immigration relates to the movement of peoples from one country into another, for reasons, including economic, familial, social or personal. Immigration differs from travelling to other countries for travelling or leisure purposes. It is estimated that more than 100 million people have immigrated to other countries due to reasons ranging from war, poverty or a better lifestyle. As the number of people who became immigrants increased, it led to many controversies and protest in many countries about immigration policies.
Immigration often brings about issues that can be difficult to tackle. These issues include economic issues, psychological issues, problems related to adjusting to a new culture. Feelings of loss, separation from family, language barriers and cultural differences can add to more problems and lead to distress.
In many countries, immigration is still a highly debated topic. On one end of the spectrum, people talk about the myriad of advantages brought by immigration to a country, economy and society as a whole. On the other hand, there are others who believe that immigration threatens national identity, increase dependence on welfare, and raises concerns for national security.
In this unit, learn about the facts about immigration, the issues that people face due to immigration and the possible solutions for the problems related to immigration. Understand immigration issues, human rights and the rights of refugees.
