Immigration is the act of traveling into a country for the purpose of permanent residence. The United States attracts more international migrants than any other country, making it the top destination for people seeking a new life. Called a "nation of immigrants" and a "melting pot," the U.S. has a long history of immigration, with people seeking opportunity, freedom, and a better life.

Why do people immigrate to other countries?

People immigrate to other countries seeking better opportunities and a new life. Motivations include escaping persecution, poverty, or famine, all while desiring freedom and work. Throughout modern times, "push" and "pull" factors explain this exodus, accelerated by modern transportation. "Push" factors include poverty, persecution, or job loss, while "pull" factors are new opportunities for better living. The United States is a prime destination, attracting more international migrants than any other country. Europe has also drawn numerous migrants seeking economic opportunities.

What challenges do immigrants often face?

Immigrants often encounter challenges such as discrimination, prejudice, and xenophobia from native-born populations. They may face difficulties accessing health and social services due to their status or lack of awareness of available resources. Additionally, language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of social cohesion can hinder their integration into the community. Migrant workers, in particular, may experience poor working conditions, low wages, and limited access to legal protections, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

How do immigrants contribute to their new communities?

Immigrants contribute to their new communities in many ways. They often contribute positively to the economy through taxes, by joining the workforce, and through business growth and innovation. Many have been essential to economic growth and have ensured the well-being and safety of communities. High-skilled immigrants increase innovation, entrepreneurship, and research and development, contributing to higher productivity and wages in related fields. Immigration can result in multicultural societies, as many modern states are characterized by a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities that have derived from previous periods of immigration.

What laws or rules affect immigration in different countries?

Immigration laws vary significantly across countries, reflecting diverse approaches to border control, labor needs, and social integration. Examples: * United States: Immigration legislation began in the late 19th century. The Immigration Act of 1924 established quotas based on national origin. * Australia: After World War II, Australia initiated policies to encourage immigration, including from non-British countries. The Migration Act 1966 ended the White Australia policy, selecting migrants based on skills rather than ethnicity. * Europe: The EU's Schengen Agreement ended internal border checkpoints. EU law grants European Economic Area nationals the right to live and work in member states. * Canada: Canada has sought to increase its population through immigration. Immigration policy is nondiscriminatory regarding ethnicity, but favors individuals with special talents or capital to invest.

How has immigration shaped the culture and history of countries like the United States?

Immigration has significantly shaped the culture and history of the United States a nation of immigrants . From the 1830s onward, the United States saw a steady stream of immigrants seeking refuge and opportunity, forming a diverse pool unmatched by any other nation. This influx has fueled the country's growth, with immigrants contributing to the economy, workforce, and innovation. The blending of cultures has led to the U.S. being called a " melting pot ," with the Statue of Liberty symbolizing hope for immigrants.

immigration

Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

Close up photo of Madeleine Albright, a white woman with short blonde hair.

Black and white illustration of a crowded dock at Queenstown harbour, with Irish emigrants, families, and luggage preparing to board a ship bound for the United States.

Learn About Former U.S. Immigration Center Ellis Island and Diversity of Immigrants Processed There

See pictures of immigrants entering the United States of America via New York and Boston

Discover how European American settlers drove Native Americans and bison from the Midwest and transformed the land

Meet diverse immigrants in the Pacific Region and follow an immigrant Vietnamese family in California

Quick Facts

Key People:: Stephen Miller; David Levy; Carol Weiss King; Grace Abbott; Emily Greene Balch

Related Topics:: What Does the Catholic Church Say About Immigration?; Today in History—October 17: Albert Einstein Arrives in the United States; What’s the Difference Between a Migrant and a Refugee?; immigration to Australia; illegal immigration

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immigration

Written by

Sarah Parry

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 8, 2026 •History

Top Questions

What is immigration?
Immigration is the act of traveling into a country for the purpose of permanent residence. The United States attracts more international migrants than any other country, making it the top destination for people seeking a new life. Called a "nation of immigrants" and a "melting pot," the U.S. has a long history of immigration, with people seeking opportunity, freedom, and a better life.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Synonyms of immigrant
2. Immigration: A Nation of Immigrants
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why do people immigrate to other countries?
People immigrate to other countries seeking better opportunities and a new life. Motivations include escaping persecution, poverty, or famine, all while desiring freedom and work. Throughout modern times, "push" and "pull" factors explain this exodus, accelerated by modern transportation. "Push" factors include poverty, persecution, or job loss, while "pull" factors are new opportunities for better living. The United States is a prime destination, attracting more international migrants than any other country. Europe has also drawn numerous migrants seeking economic opportunities.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What challenges do immigrants often face?
Immigrants often encounter challenges such as discrimination, prejudice, and xenophobia from native-born populations. They may face difficulties accessing health and social services due to their status or lack of awareness of available resources.

Additionally, language barriers, cultural differences, and lack of social cohesion can hinder their integration into the community. Migrant workers, in particular, may experience poor working conditions, low wages, and limited access to legal protections, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
2 Britannica Sources
1. New Orleans lynching of 1891: Historical context
2. migrant labour: General causes and work conditions
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How do immigrants contribute to their new communities?
Immigrants contribute to their new communities in many ways. They often contribute positively to the economy through taxes, by joining the workforce, and through business growth and innovation. Many have been essential to economic growth and have ensured the well-being and safety of communities. High-skilled immigrants increase innovation, entrepreneurship, and research and development, contributing to higher productivity and wages in related fields.

Immigration can result in multicultural societies, as many modern states are characterized by a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities that have derived from previous periods of immigration.
6 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What laws or rules affect immigration in different countries?
Immigration laws vary significantly across countries, reflecting diverse approaches to border control, labor needs, and social integration.

Examples:
* United States: Immigration legislation began in the late 19th century. The Immigration Act of 1924 established quotas based on national origin.
* Australia: After World War II, Australia initiated policies to encourage immigration, including from non-British countries. The Migration Act 1966 ended the White Australia policy, selecting migrants based on skills rather than ethnicity.
* Europe: The EU's Schengen Agreement ended internal border checkpoints. EU law grants European Economic Area nationals the right to live and work in member states.
* Canada: Canada has sought to increase its population through immigration. Immigration policy is nondiscriminatory regarding ethnicity, but favors individuals with special talents or capital to invest.
5 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has immigration shaped the culture and history of countries like the United States?
Immigration has significantly shaped the culture and history of the United States a nation of immigrants. From the 1830s onward, the United States saw a steady stream of immigrants seeking refuge and opportunity, forming a diverse pool unmatched by any other nation. This influx has fueled the country's growth, with immigrants contributing to the economy, workforce, and innovation. The blending of cultures has led to the U.S. being called a "melting pot," with the Statue of Liberty symbolizing hope for immigrants.
2 Britannica Sources
1. United States: Immigration
2. Immigration: A Nation of Immigrants
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

immigration, process through which individuals become permanent residents or citizens of another country. Historically, the process of immigration has been of great social, economic, and cultural benefit to states. The immigration experience is long and varied and has in many cases resulted in the development of multicultural societies; many modern states are characterized by a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities that have derived from previous periods of immigration.

In the post-World War II period, immigration was largely the result of the refugee movement following that war and, during the 1950s and ’60s, the end of colonization across Asia and Africa. Immigration from these areas to former imperial centres, such as the United Kingdom and France, increased. In the United Kingdom, for example, the 1948 British Nationality Act gave citizens in the former colonial territories of the Commonwealth (a potential figure of 800 million) the right of British nationality.

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Immigrants and guest workers played a vital role in the rebuilding of Europe’s infrastructure after World War II by working in heavy industry, in health services, and in transport. However, they suffered discrimination, which contributed in some countries to the isolation of ethnic groups and minority communities. Some states attempted to deal with the social exclusion of immigrants by limiting future immigration, whereas others approached it with a more-inclusive “melting pot” focus on the amalgamation of diverse cultures into one coherent understanding of citizenship. This approach has been integral to the notion of citizenship in the United States, where immigrants taking U.S. citizenship swear allegiance to their new place of residence. Critics of this approach highlight the assimilation of diverse cultures and the repression of difference in the name of the state. Immigration is therefore closely related to citizenship and the social and political rights to which citizens of a state are entitled.

immigration

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