Why People Move

Derek Lawson

Immigration has long been foundational to America’s economic strength, cultural vibrancy, and global influence. To create meaningful reform, it’s important to understand the real reasons people come to the U.S. Let’s start with the basics. Immigration is generally driven by what researchers call "push" and "pull" factors. Push factors are the tough circumstances that force people to leave their home countries—things like violence, poverty, political instability, or environmental disasters.

Elena Porter

Right, so that’s the “everything is on fire, I need to get out of here” category.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. And then, you’ve got pull factors, which are the attractive things pulling people toward a destination. For the U.S., that means better economic opportunities, quality education, safety, and family reunification.

Elena Porter

Let’s be honest, it’s the chance for some stability—and maybe even to get away from the political chaos back home.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. Now, these factors really vary by region. Take Central America, for example. A huge percentage of migrants from the Northern Triangle—countries like Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala—they’re fleeing extreme violence and political corruption. According to the data, 59% cite unsafe conditions as a major driver.

Elena Porter

Oh, I’ve got a story about this. A friend of mine in college, her family fled Honduras because of political unrest. It was crazy—they had armed military in the streets, and her dad’s business was targeted because, apparently, someone in power had taken an interest in it. They packed up almost overnight. Can you even imagine?

Derek Lawson

That’s intense, but sadly, not uncommon. Political instability combined with violence is a major push factor for migrants from the Northern Triangle. And, for Mexico, while safety certainly plays a role, economic opportunity is the top driver. Over 82% of Mexican immigrants in 2021 cited work as their primary reason for coming.

Elena Porter

Which kind of makes sense, right? I mean, border proximity and all. But okay—how about Asia? What’s pulling people from there?

Derek Lawson

For Asians, education is a huge pull factor. Chinese and Indian migrants, in particular, often come for academic opportunities. Since 2021, education has overtaken other motivations like family reunification or even work for many Indian immigrants.

Elena Porter

Wait—education is the number one reason? That’s wild, considering everything else going on in the world.

Derek Lawson

It really speaks to how much families value access to quality education. The U.S. remains a global leader in this area. But even education trends are shifting. For example, Chinese students coming to the U.S. for school have declined since 2015, due to geopolitical tensions and concerns around safety.

Elena Porter

And can you blame them? It’s not exactly the most welcoming vibe these days.

Derek Lawson

True, perception plays a big role. Now, African migrants? For them, it’s often a mix of push and pull. Political and economic instability are major push factors, but programs like the Diversity Visa Lottery have created more opportunities for legal migration.

Elena Porter

So basically, it’s a patchwork of reasons, depending on where you're from. Am I getting that right?

Derek Lawson

That’s exactly right. Immigration is rarely about one thing. It’s this intricate interplay of hardship and hope—pushed out of one place and pulled toward another that promises something better.

Derek Lawson

Building on that interplay of hardship and hope we talked about, work opportunities stand out as a dominant pull factor for immigrants coming to the U.S. Nearly half of all recent immigrants cite jobs—whether it's higher wages, better job prospects, or economic stability—as a primary reason for making the move.

Elena Porter

Okay, but let’s not gloss over this—doesn't that also mean these folks are filling jobs Americans don’t wanna take?

Derek Lawson

More often than not, yes. Immigrants are vital to industries with labor shortages. Agriculture’s a big one—73% of farmworkers in this country are immigrants. But it's not just farming—it’s construction, healthcare, food processing. I mean, they play crucial roles in keeping these sectors moving.

Elena Porter

Oh, construction and farming I get, but healthcare? Really?

Derek Lawson

Absolutely. Case in point: A Detroit hospital administrator I once interviewed told me straight up—immigrant healthcare workers were the backbone during a massive staff shortage they had. She said her ER would’ve completely collapsed without them.

Elena Porter

Wow, that’s kind of incredible. It’s like the system relies on people who often can’t even afford the care they’re helping to provide.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. It’s this paradox, right? They’re contributing so much to the economy, sometimes even starting their own businesses—immigrants are 80% more likely to do that than U.S.-born workers—but they still face so many barriers.

Elena Porter

Okay, so work makes sense. What about school, though? You said earlier education is pulling people here, especially from Asia. Why do they pick the U.S. over, I don’t know, staying local?

Derek Lawson

Well, the U.S. is still a massive player in global education. Universities here are some of the best—especially when it comes to STEM fields. For families, it's worth the cost and effort if it means access to opportunities they might not get back home.

Elena Porter

Let me get this straight—parents will uproot their lives, sometimes move across the world, just so their kid can go to school here?

Derek Lawson

It’s more common than you think. For a lot of students, coming here to study is also a gateway to stay long term. They get their degrees, find jobs, and contribute to the workforce. India, for instance, has seen a huge shift—education is actually their top reason for immigration now.

Elena Porter

That’s wild. But you said earlier fewer Chinese students are coming now, right?

Derek Lawson

Right. That trend peaked in 2015. Since then, concerns like safety, geopolitical tensions, and visa restrictions have made the U.S. less appealing. And, let’s face it, China’s investing heavily in its own education system now, too.

Elena Porter

Yeah, makes sense. If you’re a student looking at the news over here, you might think, “Better not risk it.”

Derek Lawson

Exactly. And all of this highlights something bigger—whether it’s jobs or school, people are making these calculated decisions to improve their lives. It’s not just about leaving behind bad circumstances; it’s about building something new here.

Derek Lawson

And speaking of building new lives here, family reunification stands out as one of the most personal and enduring reasons behind immigration. About 23% of immigrants arrive through these channels. It’s not just policy-driven; it’s human. Families reconnecting. Communities becoming stronger. That drive to rebuild together—it's what really holds everything else in place.

Elena Porter

Yeah, and 23% might not sound like a lot at first, but think about it this way: Every person who reunites with family here? That’s a ripple effect. It’s housing advice, job leads, emotional support—sometimes even just knowing there’s a home-cooked meal waiting for you.

Derek Lawson

Right. And those social networks are crucial. Immigrants who come here through family connections often have a much smoother adjustment process. It’s integration on a grassroots level.

Elena Porter

Plus, let’s be real—what’s harder than starting over in a new country? Without that lifeline, it’s, uh, borderline impossible. Speaking of, there’s a Congolese family in my neighborhood—they got asylum last year. Local volunteers rallied around them. Helped them find jobs, furniture, everything. And now, they’ve got this thriving veggie garden that’s become, like, a total neighborhood hangout spot. It’s amazing to see.

Derek Lawson

That’s a beautiful example of what can happen when community support steps in. For people fleeing violence, persecution, or environmental disasters, stories like theirs are the hopeful outcome. And let’s not forget, in 2023 alone, the U.S. hosted over 409,000 refugees—a 12.7% increase from the prior year. At the same time, more than 54,000 individuals were granted asylum through both USCIS and the courts.

Elena Porter

But wait—you said the numbers are dropping now, right? Like, after all those policy changes?

Derek Lawson

Correct. Refugee admissions and asylum applications have declined under more restrictive policies, even from this administration. These shifts make it tougher for people like that Congolese family to find safety here.

Elena Porter

And that’s heartbreaking. It’s not just numbers—it’s lives. People trying to find a place where they don’t have to literally run for survival. I mean, how do you even explain to someone that safety, like basic safety, is a privilege?

Derek Lawson

Sadly, you’re right. Safety, political freedom, economic opportunity—it’s all intertwined. People flee because they have no choice. But they come here because they see the opportunity to build something better for themselves and their families. It’s that mix of necessity and hope that defines so many immigrant stories.

Elena Porter

I feel like that’s the thread through this entire episode, right? Push and pull—the balance of hardship and hope that shapes why people move, and really, what they’re willing to risk for that chance.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. And as we’ve seen, whether it’s work, education, family, or just the chance to live safely, immigration is such a human experience. It’s about survival, growth, and connection. That’s the real story here.

Elena Porter

And on that note, I guess we’ll wrap it up. Thanks for listening, everyone!

Derek Lawson

Yes, and thank you for joining us. Stay curious, and we’ll see you next time.