Suchergebnisse

Examines the recent wave of undocumented migrants from Fujian, People's Republic of China, to New York City. Data were obtained from historical documents, official Chinese statistics, & surveys conducted in Fujian in 1994 & 1998. Several immigrant-sending communities in Fujian are described to argue that the current movement represents the continuation of a long-term tradition. However, unlike past migrations prompted by extreme poverty, the recent surge is said to be based on relative deprivation resulting from increasing inequality associated with China's transition to a market economy. In addition, current migrations would not be possible without the help of international smuggling organizations. The historical roots of immigration from Fujian are traced from the mid-15th century. Special attention is given to changes in income disparity in Fujian, 1983-1995, & strategies used by smugglers to get "snake" people to the US. A description of the risky nature of illegal immigration suggests that the seafaring background of the Fujianese people makes it easier for them to endure the horrendous voyage. The social & political impact of large numbers of Fujianese settling in New York's Chinatown is explored. 2 Tables, 86 References. J. Lindroth

Examines the recent wave of undocumented migrants from Fujian, People's Republic of China, to New York City. Data were obtained from historical documents, official Chinese statistics, & surveys conducted in Fujian in 1994 & 1998. Several immigrant-sending communities in Fujian are described to argue that the current movement represents the continuation of a long-term tradition. However, unlike past migrations prompted by extreme poverty, the recent surge is said to be based on relative deprivation resulting from increasing inequality associated with China's transition to a market economy. In addition, current migrations would not be possible without the help of international smuggling organizations. The historical roots of immigration from Fujian are traced from the mid-15th century. Special attention is given to changes in income disparity in Fujian, 1983-1995, & strategies used by smugglers to get "snake" people to the US. A description of the risky nature of illegal immigration suggests that the seafaring background of the Fujianese people makes it easier for them to endure the horrendous voyage. The social & political impact of large numbers of Fujianese settling in New York's Chinatown is explored. 2 Tables, 86 References. J. Lindroth

In this paper, we report findings from a recent survey of international migration from China's Fujian province to the United States. We take advantage of the ethnosurvey approach as used in the Mexican Migration Project. Surveys were done in migrant-sending communities in China as well as in destination communities of New York City. We derive hypotheses from two strands of recent studies-the international migration literature and the market transition debate. Our results are in general consistent with hypotheses derived from cumulative causation of migration. However, because of the geographical location of China as compared to Mexico, there are some differences between the two countries in terms of particular migration patterns to the United States. As expected, at the community level, migration prevalence ratio (measuring migration networks) increases the propensity of migration for other members in the community. In contrast, having a household member migrated previously does not increase the propensity of migration of other household members until debt for previous migration is paid off. Our research clearly demonstrates the value of bringing the case of China into the comparative study of international migration. With respect to market transition theory, we find that political power continues to be an important factor in the order of social stratification in the coastal Fujian province.