Immigration is a hot-button topic that can quickly turn even the friendliest of conversations into a fierce debate. Often the debate centers on what is perceived as good and bad effects of immigration. However, the topic has many complex and nuanced aspects that require careful consideration in order to be understood clearly.
People around the world leave their home countries to rebuild their lives in a new place. Some do so to seek a better job or education, while others flee from human rights violations and other forms of oppression. Still, others leave because of war, hunger or natural disasters. It is these last reasons that have driven the greatest increase in international migrants in recent decades.
Some people are concerned that immigration leads to lower wages for native-born workers. However, research suggests that overall economic growth and increased productivity are the primary benefits of a population with diverse backgrounds and skills. Moreover, immigrants have positive impacts on local communities, including the economy of New York City. In 2021, immigrants paid $61 billion dollars in taxes and contributed $138 billion dollars to the economy as consumers.
Immigrants also bring a variety of culture to the societies they move into. This can be seen in cuisine, music and other cultural expressions that have become part of the fabric of their new homes. These contributions can help to shape a society that celebrates and welcomes diversity.
A person’s place of usual residence is the country where he or she has lived continuously for at least two years or more, including periods spent abroad for tourism, education, business, family visits, health care and religious pilgrimages. This is distinct from a person’s country of citizenship, which refers to the nation where he or she was born or has been legally admitted.
Depending on the context, there are several different definitions of the term “immigrant.” In the United States, for example, the word is generally used to mean someone who has obtained legal status in the country where he or she lives. This includes citizens, lawful permanent residents and individuals who have been legally granted asylum, refugee status or a special category such as “persons of extraordinary ability” in arts, science, education and business; professors and researchers with advanced degrees; and multinational executives and managers.
It is important to remember that the number of international migrants is just a small part of the global population. The vast majority of the world’s 7.7 billion people live in countries that are not their country of origin. As such, it is critical to understand the context of the debate on immigration in order to make informed decisions and avoid the stigma associated with the word.