Immigration

Immigration happens when people leave their home country and move to another one. People have been moving to new lands for thousands of years. They often move to find better jobs, safety, or freedom. Immigration has shaped the history and culture of countries around the world.

Why People Move

People immigrate for many different reasons. Some leave because of war or danger in their homeland. Others move to find better jobs and earn more money. Some people want religious or political freedom. Natural disasters like droughts and floods can also push people to move.

Immigration's Impact

Immigrants bring new ideas, foods, languages, and customs to their new countries. Many of the world's greatest scientists, artists, and leaders were immigrants. Immigration can also create challenges as people adjust to new cultures. Countries make laws about how many people can immigrate and who can come.

Fun Facts

• The United States is sometimes called a "nation of immigrants" because so many people came from other countries.
• About 281 million people around the world live in a country different from where they were born.
• Albert Einstein was an immigrant who moved from Germany to the United States.

Did You Know?

The Statue of Liberty's famous poem says "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."