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Chain Migration

Definition

Chain migration refers to the pattern of migration where individuals or families migrate to a specific place because they have relatives or friends already settled there. It involves a network of interconnected people moving from one place to another.

Analogy

Imagine you and your best friend both want to go to the same college. Your friend gets accepted first and moves into their dorm room. Because your friend is already there, it becomes easier for you to decide on that college and join them. This is similar to chain migration, where people move to a specific place because they have family or friends already living there.

Related terms

Immigration Waves: These are periods in history when large numbers of immigrants arrive in a particular country or region.

Ethnic Enclaves: These are neighborhoods or areas within a city where people from the same ethnic background tend to live together.

Assimilation: This term refers to the process by which immigrants adopt the cultural practices and values of their new country while still retaining some aspects of their own culture.