Understanding immigration patterns is possible by first understanding immigration theory. The theory of causes of immigration states that immigration patterns are influenced by various push and pull factors. Push factors are those that serve to motivate people to leave their country of origin. While pull factors are usually motives for wanting to enter a particular country. In the case of economic migration, low wages or a financial crisis in the country of origin would be considered push factors, while economic prosperity and higher wages in another country would play the role of pull factors.

That's how immigration works, people always move to a place they think is better - there's always a reason, even if the reasons can be very different and sometimes quite ambiguous. Immigration is not a simple matter and in the modern world there are often many laws that must be complied with in order for immigration not to be considered illegal. Very often, barriers are erected by states to limit and control the influx of immigrants. Barriers can be in the form of legal regulations, social level requirements or even social, political or religious in nature. The goal of states that enact such regulations is always the same — to ensure they get the immigrants they want while keeping out those they don't.

Very often, people unable to immigrate legally, driven by factors such as war, religious persecution, oppression or genocide, are forced to immigrate illegally to avoid the threat. Sometimes immigration is for more personal reasons, such as B. Family reunification, relationships. Criminal evasion can also be a reason for immigration, but is usually considered illegal, especially when the offense is internationally recognized. For some people, the opportunity to get a better education is a pull factor, however, international students are not typically classified as immigrants. Age migration is also widespread. Very often seniors move from expensive countries to cheaper countries with better climate, which is a new type of international migration.

Not all countries are equally interested in immigrants. While some countries see it as a good source of cheap labor, others seek to attract only wealthy, well-skilled immigrants, which can lead to selective immigration policies. An extreme example would be Australia, which implemented the White Australia policy a few decades ago. Today that policy is gone, but priority is still given to educated, skilled, and affluent immigrants.