Immigration and Emigration Basics
Immigration means moving to and settling in a new country, whilst emigration is leaving your home country to settle somewhere else. People make these big decisions based on what they're leaving behind versus what they hope to find.
Push factors drive people away from their home countries. These include civil wars, lack of jobs, poor healthcare, and limited freedoms. When life becomes difficult or dangerous, families often feel they have no choice but to leave.
Pull factors attract people to new countries like the UK. High standards of living, available work, political stability, and peace make certain countries appealing destinations. The Human Rights Act 1998 also provides protection for citizens, which is especially important for those fleeing persecution.
Key Insight: The UK's core values include tolerance, rule of law, democracy, secularism, and constitutional monarchy - these principles shape how we treat both citizens and newcomers.
