Problems of emigration

Emigration entails the movement of people from their native country to a new country, in which they plan to settle. Emigration occurs because of notable reasons. In most circumstances, people escape awry political conditions, economic destitution, and social insecurity. In some cases, emigrants are merely adventurous individuals who want to experience new settings. People who move away from their native countries take to emigration as a solution of these problems. They attach considerable hope in new countries. While emigration might offer variable solutions to some of these difficulties, it entails considerable problems. It is essential to highlight that emigration entails problems to both the immigrants and the host countries.

Difficult cultural integration is one of the common problems that emigrants face in their new countries. Culture is an essential factor in every person’s life. For instance, emigrants usually face the obstacle of learning a new language. This new language is indispensable in work places and daily interactions. A new culture also involves adjusting to new social mannerisms and unfamiliar political and economic environments. Compelling children to neglect their friends and schools creates a difficult adaptation period, as such children cannot dissociate their former world from reality. Facing new cultures influences emigrants to lose their cultural identity.

Discrimination is a major challenge facing immigrants in host countries. Discrimination is a difficult problem because it emanates from the attitudes of people. Individuals in the host countries may develop condescending attitudes towards immigrants. This scenario occurs because the individuals in the host countries view the immigrants as outsiders. Discrimination is dangerous because it occurs from the subtle sense to the extreme cases of physical abuse. Emigrants may face considerable problems tackling discrimination because they may not be aware of the legal procedures involved.

Countries that host emigrants also experience several challenges. The first problem regards the financial burden entailed in hosting new entrants. Most countries are facing critical financial difficulties in the presence of recession and global meltdown. Emigrants need large amounts of financial support from host nations. This support occurs in terms of healthcare benefits, social welfare, educational benefits and settlement. The government exists in a tricky position of sharing its limited resources with both native citizens and the emigrants.

Security is a key problem facing emigrants. This is because some emigrants may harbor ill intentions towards the host country. Economic problems among emigrants usually trigger this situation as they turn to crime and the black market activities for their survival. Immigration officials usually face the major task of screening emigrants before they gain entrance in a new country. While this is a common procedure on emigrants, it does not guarantee absolute security on the citizens. For instance, the terrorist attacks in the US manifest the danger of immigrants in host countries.

It is discernible that emigration entails problems both to the emigrant and to a host country. Difficult cultural integration majorly affects emigrants as they face entirely new cultures. Facing new cultures involve learning new languages and other forms of lifestyle. Such new cultures may lead towards the loss of cultural identities of emigrants. Discrimination significantly affects emigrants as individuals in host countries look down upon them. This is a problematic scenario as emigrants are mostly unaware of the legal procedures involved in tackling discrimination. Host countries of the emigrants also face key problems. Host countries usually face huge financial burden of taking care of emigrants. Host countries also face the problem of insecurity that may arise out of the presence of emigrants in new countries. It is critical to note that emigration is a major economic and political issue in the world.

References

LeMay, M. C. (2007). Illegal immigration: a reference handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

Scheffer, P., & Waters, L. (2011). Immigrant nations. Cambridge, UK: Polity.