Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
History of migration to the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
For the past four centuries, the United States has been the most popular migrant destination in the world. Migration to the U.S. has occurred in waves from various regions 鈥 primarily from Europe until the mid-1900s, before Latin Americans became the dominant migrant group. Motivation for migration could vary by time and origin and included push factors, such as persecution or unemployment; or pull factors, such as economic opportunity or familial reunification; with war, famine, or economic shocks also having an impact.
