One of the most consistent themes that confronts us when we examine different regions of the world is the voluntary and involuntary movement of people from one region to the next. An important question for World Regional Geography, then, is what happens to different regions of the world when people move in and out of them? Within this theme, we focus on the implications of people moving to a foreign place for reasons of work and war. Why do some people travel half way around the world in order to find a job? How are such people received in their new region? What are the consequences­­–social, cultural, economic-of large-scale immigration on the host society? What are the impacts of emigration on the regions left by migrants? How do people who have been forced to flee their homes manage to survive in a new place?
 
The presence of migrants and refugees in foreign countries is one of the most palpable components of globalization for many people, and understanding the nature of migration and the problems of immigration is one of the most important parts of "thinking geographically." Some of the units in "An Uprooted World" seek to better understand the basic controversies surrounding migration, and confront a variety of opinions regarding migration-from xenophobic border-closing nationalism to political advocacy of migrant rights and interests. While these units present a diverse array of examples of people "uprooting" and moving to a new region or locality, they all offer varying pictures of the ways people navigate the many differences among the world's different regions.
 
The first unit examines the politics of Mexican immigration in the United States, exploring the debates over the impact of immigration on the US economy and society as well as looking at the impact of emigration in Mexico. Other units (Chapters 4, 6, and 10) explore the phenomena of "guest workers," who travel to Europe and Southwest Asia for economic and employment opportunities, and the "maid trade" of domestic workers from the Philippines who travel for work throughout Asia and many other regions of the world. We also examine the problem of internally displaced refugees in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Sudan (Chapter 7). The case from Sudan also explores the events that led to the "lost boys," young parentless war refugees who have found their way to new homes in North America (Chapter 2 and covered in the theme "Finding a Place in the World"). Finally, two units consider the "brain drain" problem that some regions of the world face, in which many of their most talented workers leave for better opportunities elsewhere instead of staying and contributing to the development of their home regions. We examine both Sub-Saharan Africa (Chapter 7) and New Zealand (Chapter 11) in this context.
 
Overview - Migrant, Immigrant, and Refugee (Chapter 1)

One of the facts of this world is that people are constantly on the move. At any given moment there are millions of people moving around the world as tourists, refugees, workers, and migrants. The issue of the movement of people will be discussed at length throughout the text and in the online lessons. In this lesson, we will explore the plight of refugees at length, by visiting sites that introduce personal experiences of those forced to flee their homes. Another goal of this lesson will be to understand the many reasons that people move and the political problems that such movement causes in new host communities.

What causes people to travel from one place to another and what obstacles do they encounter along the way?

To begin thinking about the movements of people, start by considering the last time that you traveled somewhere outside of your normal, everyday sphere. Why did you leave your home? What was the purpose of your trip? What kind of people did you encounter? Do you feel you were treated kindly?

Next compare your experience to that of refugees who have shared their testimonies of movement: First read some of the personal stories given to the United States Committee for Refugees.
 
Then spend some time exploring the BBC's site devoted to refugees.

Next, explore Peter Stalker's guide to international immigration. Especially spend some time reading about how and why people migrate, as well as the impacts caused by immigration.

• What are some of the reasons that people migrate?
• In "The Smuggler's Story" on the BBC site (located in "The Journey"), Hamid refers to himself as a kind of Robin Hood because he helps smuggle migrants to safer places. What do you think about this justification for his acts? Does he really have the migrants' interests in mind?
• Are rich or poor nations likely to be the main hosts of refugees? The "Persecution: Overview" article on the BBC site presents some startling statistics. Are you surprised by these facts?
• What more do you think should be done to protect refugees from the horrors of camps and confusing legal systems? Whose responsibility should this be?
• Do you believe that some refugees are abusing the UN Convention on Refugees?
• What are some of the ways that immigration impacts both the new nation and the old one?
• Should those seeking a better economic life be given the same rights as refugees (economic refugees vs. political refugees)?

To help answer this last question, please explore the site of the International Labor Organization , which is solely devoted to protecting the rights of migrant workers.

The issue of immigration into the United States is very heated and complicated and can be explored in the following sites:

U.S. Border Control - a lobbying group calling for the end of illegal immigration and a securing of borders.
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) - a group that wants to drastically slow immigration and more actively assimilate those who already live in the United States.
See especially CIS statement on Assimilation and Citizenship.

• Why do you believe that immigration is such a heated topic?
• Do you agree with CIS that all immigrants to the U.S. should be Americanized?
• What does "Americanization" mean to you?