People move to new places. 

People move to new lands. 

Immigration is when people move to a new country to live. 
Many people move for work. These people are called economic migrants. They look for better jobs and more resources. 
Moving can help many countries. It can help the place people leave and the place they go. Some studies show it can help the world economy grow.
Immigration is when people move to a new country to settle down. They move to a place where they are not usual residents. These people want to become permanent residents of their new home. 

Moving to a new place can affect a whole economy. Research suggests it can be helpful for both the sending and receiving countries. Some studies say removing barriers to moving could help world wealth grow a lot. In 2009, people sent $420 billion back to their home countries. This is called remittances.
The word immigration was first used in the 17th century. At that time, it meant people moving between new nations without war. We use different names depending on how we look at the move. A person is an immigrant in their new home. From their old home, they are called an emigrant or an outmigrant.
Many people move around the world today. There are about 244 million international migrants in the world. This is a 41% increase since the year 2000. 
Immigration can change how schools and hospitals work. Some studies show it can help people finish high school. In the United States, more immigrants can lead to more students finishing school. 
Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country. These people are not usual residents of that country. They also do not possess nationality there. Most immigrants move to settle as permanent residents. 
There are different ways to describe this movement. The term immigration was coined in the 17th century. It originally referred to population movements between emerging nation states that were not caused by war. We use different words depending on our perspective. From the view of the destination country, the people are immigrants. From the view of the country they leave, they are called emigrants or outmigrants.
One specific type of mover is the economic migrant. These individuals travel to find employment. They seek an improved quality of life and better access to resources. An economic migrant is distinct from a refugee. A refugee is someone fleeing persecution. Many countries have strict visa restrictions. These laws prohibit people from entering to work without a valid work visa. If a person violates these laws, they can be refused entry.
Global migration numbers have grown significantly. There are 244 million international migrants worldwide. This represents a 41% increase since the year 2000. 
Migration also creates large flows of money. In 2009, remittances totaled $420 billion. Remittances are funds sent by migrants back to their home countries. Of that total, $317 billion went to developing countries. This movement of money can be a tool for poverty reduction. Economists suggest that reducing barriers to labor mobility could help the world economy. Some studies estimate that removing migration barriers could increase global GDP by 67 to 147 percent. This would happen if many workers moved from developing to developed nations.
Immigration affects many different social systems. In the United States, research shows immigration can increase high school completion rates. A one percent increase in the immigrant share of the population can raise the probability of native students finishing school by 0.3 percentage points. However, the impact on schools can vary. In Italy, some studies linked immigrant students to small negative effects on math scores in specific classes. These effects were mostly seen in classes with high concentrations of immigrants. 
There are also complex social and economic challenges. Immigration can increase local rents and house prices. It can also put stress on housing and education. Some research suggests that large increases in certain populations can affect social capital. This refers to the trust and connections within a community. Some studies show that people from autocratic cultures may have different levels of trust in new countries. However, research also shows that contact between different groups can help improve these social connections over the long term. 
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