What are some reasons why immigrants immigrate to the U.S?
1 Answer
There are a number of reasons.
Explanation:
Your question is in the present tense so I'll try and concentrate on the present. However the underlying reasons are long standing.
Firstly there is the need to escape political or religious persecution. This was one of the reasons for the reasons for the original Pilgrims. It was also a reason for mass migration of Jews from Eastern Europe and Czarist Russia in the late 19th century. Today hundreds of thousands have fled Central America in recent years because of political dictatorships and brutal repression.
Secondly and linked to the first reason is refugees fleeing from conflict. Again in recent years large numbers of sought sanctuary in the USA from civil war and conflict in Central America. American involvement in conflicts such as Korea in the 50's and Vietnam in the 60's and 70's resulted in the growth of significant communities from these countries in the USA. After Castro's revolution there was a large influx of Cuban emigres into Florida in the early 60's and in subsequent decades as more fled from a regime which could be oppressive.
Finally there is the concept of a better life style, The American Dream. (See the opening scene of The Godfather). Historically the USA has been seen as a land of opportunity with, in the past, vast spaces available for settlement. Certainly in the post war era the USA emerged as the richest and most powerful country in the world and millions have immigrated to the USA in the search of a better lifestyle which they could not hope to achieve in their own countries.
