Immigration occurs in the wealthy nations of the global north and the not-so-rich countries of the global south; it involves individuals who arrive with substantial human capital and those with limited human capital. Immigration has far-reaching implications for a nation's economy, public policy, social and health services and culture. While human migration is as old as humankind itself, factors such as ease of transportation, globalization of the world market, changing political borders and international immigration policies, growing forced migration populations, and the challenge of undocume ... More

Immigration occurs in the wealthy nations of the global north and the not-so-rich countries of the global south; it involves individuals who arrive with substantial human capital and those with limited human capital. Immigration has far-reaching implications for a nation's economy, public policy, social and health services and culture. While human migration is as old as humankind itself, factors such as ease of transportation, globalization of the world market, changing political borders and international immigration policies, growing forced migration populations, and the challenge of undocumented immigrants, suggest that immigration worldwide is a phenomenon toward which the social sciences across the globe must pay close attention. This book explores current patterns and policies of immigration in 25 countries across the globe and the European and African Unions, with analyses of implications for the countries, immigrant populations, and global perspectives. It presents a theoretical model for the study of immigration and is an in-depth study of the phases, stages, and processes involved in immigration and integration. This comprehensive and rigorous analysis of a global phenomenon is derived from existing empirical research and theories undergirding the research. The volume is designed to explore how country conditions, policies, values, politics, and attitudes influence the process of immigration and subsequently affect immigrants, migration, and the country itself. Trends and comparative concepts are highlighted in the analysis, which also discusses policy responses in different countries. Thus, this book is at once a source book and an applied model of immigration studies.