The last few years have witnessed the greatest migration of humans in recent memory. Partly as a result of the civil strife, e.g., Syria, Libya; or inability of civil governments to protect its own people from violence, e.g., Mexico, Honduras, etc. While these migrants have been condemned in certain quarters for entering other countries without proper authorization, most overlooked issue is the “push and pull” factor in immigration.
Though circumstances and time may be different, the same factors that have pulled people from their homeland throughout history are the very reasons people are taking the risks in relocating to foreign, and sometimes hostile lands. People are pushed by the yearning for safely, security and comfort for themselves and those they love. Likewise, people are pulled to those territories where they believe, rational or not, that they can have safely, security and comfort.
It takes courage and conviction to make these moves. It is by no means for the faint of heart. While not encouraging risking of lives, specially of the vulnerable, many of us have a lot to learn from these men and women. They risk their lives for what most of us take for granted. Their drive is the same that has led to the many immigrant success story we read about today. And in the next several years, the story of the players in today’s Great Immigration will be told and admired by most, including those call them swarms and rapists.