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Global Migration . um::ee ! :

The· nuances of the movements of p~ople· · around the world can be seen
through the categories of migrants- · "vagabonds" and "touns · t s" (B auman, 1998).
Vagabonds are on the move "because they have to be" (R"t1 zer, 2015, p. •179)-t hey
are not faring well in their home countries and are forced to move·in the hope that
their circumstances will improve. Tourists, on the other hand, are on the move
because they want to be and becaus~ they can afford it . .
Refugees are vagabond~ forced to flee their home countries due to safety
concerns (Haddad, 2003). Asylum seekers are refugees who seek to remain in the
country to which they flee. According to Kritz (2008), those who migrate to find
work are involved in labor migration. Labor migration is driven by "push" factors
(e.g., lack of employment opportunities in home countries), as well as "pull"
factors (work available elsewheref Labor migration mainly involves t~e flow. of
less-skilled and unskilled workers, as well as illegal immigrants who hve on the

margins of the host society (Landler, 2007). Chapter 1: Defining Globalil , 81

 Unlike other global flows, labor migration still faces many restrictions. Many
• rs are related to the Westphalian conception of the nation-state
of these bame . .
and are intimately associated with it. Shamir (2005) discussed that the state may
seek to control migration because it involves the loss of part of the workforce.
An influx of migrants can lead to conflicts with local residents. Concerns about
terrorism also affect the desire of the state to restrict population flows ( Moses, ,
2006).
Migration is trijditionally governed either by "push" factors such as political
persecution, economic depression, war, and famine in the home country or by I.
"pull" factors such as a favorable immigration policy, a labor shortage, and a t
similarity of language and culture in the -country of destination {Ritzer, 2015).
Global factors, which facilitate easy ·access to 'infonnation about the country of
">- ·
destination, also exert a significant influence.
Many countries face issues of illegal migration. The United 5tate.s faces a
major influx of illegal immigrants from Mexico and other Central American states
{Thompson, ·2008). A fence is_being constructed on the US-Mexico border to
control this flow of people {Fletcher and Weisman, 2006 ). However, its efficacy is
questioned and it is thought that it will only lead illegal immigrants to adopt more
dangero~s methods to gain entry. In addition, tighter borders have also had the
efl'.ect of "locking in" people who might otherwise hawe left the country {Fears,
2006 ). Other countries with simil.ar concerns about illegal immigration include
.. - .
Great Britain, Switzerland, and Greece as well -as countries in Asia.
A strong case can be made ·on the backlash against illegal immigrants
(Economist, 2008, January 3, "Keep the Borders Open"). In the North, such
irrimigrants con§titute a younger w6rkfbrce 'that does work which locals may
not perforl)1, aria l:hey are consumers who amtribute to growth. They also send
remittances back to family n;,embers in the country of origin, which improves the
lives of the recipients, reduces poverty rates,iand.increases the· level of education
as well as the foreign reserves of the home country ( Economist 2007, November 1).
Banks are often unwilling or ur;iabl.e to handle,the type (small amounts of money)
and volume of remittances. As a res4lt, specialized organizations play a major role
in the transmission of remittances. According to Malkin (2007), the Philippines is
one of the leaders when it comes. to the flow of remittances ($14.7 billion), next to
India ($24.5 billion) and China ($21.1 billion). ·
The_ ~erm "dia~pora" has been increasingly used to describe migrant
communities. Of particular interest is Paul Gilroy's ( 1993 ) conceptualization of the
, diaspora as a t~ans·national pro(ess, which invo.lves dialogue to both imagined and.
real locales. D1asporization and globallzafion are closely ,·nt t d d the
:. ._·· ._ti?J,;
•_½:-_t_:
. erconnec e an
,.Jliffl~gontemporary World
, ~· .
expans•i on of the latter will lead to an increase in the former (Dufoi><.,:2007). Today,
. . .

there exists "virtual diasporas" (Laguerre, 2qo2) which utilize technology such as ·
the Internet to maintain the community network.