Migration from a Developing Country to a Developed Country: Pros and Cons

Although the pace of international migration has somewhat slowed down, the number of international migrants, who are moving from a developing country like Jamaica, to the developed world, is consistently increasing. In this respect, international migration becomes the issues of the day, as more than any other issue, it puts into stark relief really enormous economic, social, political, and cultural transformations. While some people argue that international migration has its benefits, there are claims that migration poses a threat to the developed world. So, what are pros and cons of international migration from the developing to developed countries?

Indeed, migration is an obvious 'good'. People do have right for better life, and it is a common knowledge that immigrants from the developing countries move to the developed countries as they want to overcome adversity and life a better life. However, in their desire to live a better life, migrants prefer the best countries - as one in every five migrants prefers moving to the United States, and one in every three goes to Europe. According to the estimates, 75% of all migrants live in 28 countries, while 61 percent of migrates are concentrated in developed countries such as the United States, France, Germany, and Australia (Mack, 2006). One would say that developed countries have nothing to worry about, as they can gain from the skills migrants bring. This is what the proponents of migration claim. Migration is a source of labor. It seems, it is too good to be truth, is it?

Obviously, migration is a source of labor, however, the vast majority of migrants from the developing countries are under qualified, or lack professional skills required to obtain a good job and to bring benefit to the country (Conover, 1987). Instead, migrants are often synonymous to a 'cheap labor' and 'low wages', thus causing increased competition and taking off the residents' jobs. So, how will you feel when you are fired because the owner of the company prefers paying less to the immigrant than to you, a citizen of a developed country?

Next, immigration to the developed country is good, because immigrants pay taxes, purchase real estate, and contribute to mortgage loan profits (Pros And Cons On Immigrants). The evidence on migration's benefits seems to be obvious, is it? At the same time, immigration from the developing countries involves sending back huge amounts of money to their families (estimated at 167 billion dollars in 2005), as well as illegal activities, like smuggling, trafficking, increased crime level, and social discontent. Illegal immigration is yet another problem, as legal immigration encourages the illegal one. Finally, the inflow of people from the developing countries has negative effect on the developing world, as professionals emigrate "can experience a retard in their development potential" (Deen, 2006). Therefore, instead of improving its own economy, they knowingly slow it down.

Indeed, immigration from the developing countries to the developed ones is able to help millions people, and to solve the financial and other challenged faced by immigrants who simply want to live a better life and feed their families. However, it should be taken into account that the cons of immigration overweight all potential benefits the developed countries can enjoy, as the jobs are often taken from the citizens of developed countries, from those who are indeed rightfully entitled to them. From a developing country perspective, migration is a good, but from a developed country perspective, when assessing the pros and cons, it is not the best way to facilitate livelihood opportunities and eradicate poverty in the developing countries at the cost of the developed ones.

References

Conover, T. (1987). A Journey Through the Secret World of America's Illegal Aliens. Vintage.

Deen, T. (2006, September 9). Pros and Cons of International Migration. Retrieved November 15, 2007, from http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/1992

Mack, L. (2006, April 7). International Migration Has Pros And Cons. Retrieved November 15, 2007, from http://www.terradaily.com/reports/International_Migration_Has_Pros_And_Cons.html

Pros And Cons On Immigrants. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2007, from http://www.legalcybertips.com/immigration/Pros-And-Cons-on-Immigrants.html