migration in USA, Brazil, Laos

benefits of migration in the USA

• Immigrants fill skill/labour shortages, esp. in agriculture, tech, and healthcare sectors.

• Contribute $2 trillion annually to GDP

• Highly skilled migrants (e.g., 75% of H-1B visa holders from India) boost innovation.

• Cultural diversity enriches society.

challenges of migration to USA

• est. 10.5-12M undocumented migrants, straining public services.

• Tensions over cultural integration and national identity.

• Border control issues and political controversy (e.g., DACA, wall debates

benefits of migration to Brazil

• Immigration from Venezuela and Haiti supports agriculture, construction, and low-wage services.

• Emigration reduces unemployment pressure.

• Remittances help Brazilian households and boost rural development

challenges of migration in Brazil

• Increased immigration from Venezuela and Haiti leads to strain on public services in border regions.

• Social tensions due to resource competition.

• Limited infrastructure in northern regions to support inflows

benefits of migration in Laos

• Increased immigration from Venezuela and Haiti leads to strain on public services in border regions.

• Social tensions due to resource competition.

• Limited infrastructure in northern regions to support inflows

challenges of migration in Laos

• High dependence on remittances makes economy vulnerable.

• Many migrants face exploitation and trafficking risks (especially young women).

• Brain drain: loss of young, working-age population reduces development potential

remittances

• US: Sends $68 billion/year

• Brazil: Receives $2.7 billion/year

• Laos: Receives $1.3 billion/year (~7% of GDP)

population:

USA: 330 million

Brazil: 214 million

Laos: 7.4 million

sources of migrants

USA: Mexico, India, China, Philippines

Brazil: Haiti, Bolivia, Venezuela

Laos: Vietnam, China, Thailand

Immigration policies

USA: Skills-based, family reunification, quotas for each country

Brazil: Loosening restrictions post-2010, especially for humanitarian migration

Laos: Strict policies under Lao PDR + dependency on bilateral agreements

drivers for migration

USA: Jobs, education, family, political asylum

Brazil: Economic opportunity, regional crises, political instability in neighbours

Laos: Poverty, lack of education, and employment