Seventeenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The United States has always been a country of immigrants. In 2023, we face an unprecedented migration crisis. American mass media exposed the drama of people passing through the Darrien, Central America, and Mexico. The number of immigrants to the United States has more than doubled to over eight million people annually from 2020 to 2023. New York and other U.S. cities struggle with the high costs of migrant arrivals. The news reports on how new immigrants are overcrowding cities and borders. In my paper, I discuss the new migration patterns and factors. The immigrants’ reasons for leaving their home countries are complex. These include political unrest, economic insecurity, violence, and weak social protection systems. Today, immigrants come to the United States from repressive countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. In my study, I discuss in detail the case study of Venezuela. Venezuelan migration increased significantly since 2016, coinciding with the economic disaster. I demonstrate the inability of the American government to cope with this crisis. The problem is that Democrats and Republicans disagree on immigration policies. Also, immigration policies are usually dictated by the current economic interests of Americans rather than the needs of newcomers. The deteriorating economic conditions within the U.S. further complicate this situation.