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Immigration
Migration of history of Pakistan started in 1947 when it gained independence. The migrations occurred between 1947 to 1965. In the eighteenth century, Pakistanis moved to America and acquired jobs in the agriculture, mining, and logging. The estimated Pakistanis that moved to America during this period include 2,500 people. The major reason was for getting better opportunities for work and wages. This was known as the beginning of a distinct Pakistani community in America. The statistics provided by the Census Bureau of America reveals that the total number of Pakistani Americans was 100,000 in 1990 while in 2000 the number grew to 210,000. The USA census stated that by 215 the legally migrated Pakistanis was 500,000. In 2010 an increase of 204,309 Pakistanis was reported. The largest number of Pakistani population moved to America in 1965 due to the lifting of the immigration restrictions by the US government. Most of the people migrated from the cities of Lahore and Karachi for familiarizing themselves with the western culture. The number of Pakistani migrants declined since 2000 after the incidence of 9/11. The comparison of the two periods indicates that the central reason for Pakistanis to move to America in the 1990s was for searching for jobs and education. Many people came to settle in the west for availing better opportunities. There have been significant changes in the number of Pakistanis migration to America since 2000. The central reason for increased migration in 1965 was the result of lifting quotas. While in 2001 the state banned Pakistani migration due to the twin towers attack. Pakistanis suffered the consequences of the terror attack as many Pakistani Americans were deported and visas of many were also canceled.
Foreign-borne
Years
0-10 years
Over 10 years
2000
59%
41%
2010
41%
59%
2015
36%
64%
The survey results of the PEW depicts that the number of foreign-born Pakistanis increased inconsistently. For the period of 10 years, the foreign-born Pakistanis were 59% in 2000, 41% in 2010 and 36% in 2015. This indicates a declined in the Pakistani foreign-born population. The reasons for decline involve a financial crisis of 2007 and the terror incident of 9/11. Both had affected the opportunities of survival for the Pakistanis. The findings also state that half a million Pakistanis were sent to their homelands in 2012 CITATION PEW16 \l 1033 (PEW). Facts indicates that, “of the 544,105 Pakistanis deported, 71,723 were expelled in 2012; 79,539 in 2013; 78,409 in 2014; 116,185 in 2015; 111,084 in 2016; and 87,165 in just the first six months of 2017” CITATION Irf12 \l 1033 (Ghauri). The number of deportations increased due to the security concerns of the state and strict visa policy.
3. The predominant means of immigration today include legal migrants, refugees, temporary workers, and employment immigrants. Illegal immigration is controlled by the state due to the strict policy measures. Today gaining visa for employment is more tedious because of the increased formalities. Pakistanis face more difficulties today in migrating compared to the past. Much unskilled labor initially entered through illegal means and gained low-wage jobs. After the deportation of thousands of illegal Pakistani immigrants, the state has managed to control the issue. Employment immigration involves strict scrutiny of the applicants and take almost months for the approval. By 1990s America offered more opportunities for employment with the belief that foreign labor force boosts the economy.
Majority of the Pakistanis that moved to America had specific educational backgrounds. However, with time they acquired western knowledge and assimilated in different sectors for the employment. In 1965 the Pakistanis managed to find jobs in academia, medical and law. However the second-generation found jobs in other sectors also. Many Pakistanis that entered the country accepted the low-paying jobs for settling. Today they enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and part of the upper, middle and lower-class. “Pakistani Americans tend to follow the residence pattern set by other Americans, in that they move to more affluent suburbs as their prosperity increases” CITATION Tin17 \l 1033 (Pavri). This indicates that Pakistanis are today more influenced by western culture. The foreign-born and US-born have a strong relationship with America that is apparent in their ways of dressing, language and lifestyle patterns.
4. The age composition of the Pakistanis living in America depicts that among children of ages less than five years the highest percentage is of US-born. It also indicates that among Pakistanis of ages (5-17 years) the highest percentage (47) is of foreign-born and Asians are 18. The statistics further reveals that among Pakistanis of ages 18-29 years the majority are US-born (22) and foreign-born (20). Among Pakistanis of ages, 40-49 years majority is of foreign-borne (20). The median age of Asian Pakistanis in America is 34, while of US-born is 12. The median age of foreign-born is 40 and of all is 30. Similarly among Pakistanis of ages 60-64 the highest population is of foreign-born (23).
Age
Asian
US-born
Foreign-born
All
Less than 5
7
21
1
7
5- 17
18
47
8
21
18- 29
19
22
20
20
30- 39
16
7
20
16
40- 49
15
2
20
14
50- 64
16
1
23
16
65+
10
Less than 1
9
6
Median age
34
12
40
30
The family structure depicts that Pakistanis are following a patriarchal system as most of the males hold former education and also play the role of sole breadwinners. Females are taking the role of housewives and are mostly confined to homes. Minimal women are participating in financial support by taking jobs of work outside homes. It is this important to understand the difference between the first-generation and second-generation Pakistanis. The first-generation Pakistanis have managed to play the same patriarchal roles by accepting the role of housewives. Facts reveal that “second-generation Pakistani American women tend to be more resistant to traditional roles, but the pressures for conformity within the Pakistani community are still quite strong” CITATION Tin17 \l 1033 (Pavri). The western culture has not undermined connectivity of Pakistanis with native land. This exhibits significant changes in the role of women as many managed to take work by challenging the patriarchal mindsets. This also depicts the influence of the west on the Pakistanis.
Both male and female parents are contributing to the education of their children by sending them to good schools. Pakistanis living in America express conflicting emotions regarding individualism, freedom, economic efficiency, job opportunities, and science. Majority Pakistanis are still tracing roots of their rural culture thus having a significant impact on their children and the next generations. Pakistanis are free to practice their religion and faith. Traditional and religious values also hold great significance in the lives of Pakistani Americans. This can be seen in celebration of events such as holidays. Pakistanis living in America practice their religion that is apparent in their five-time prayers in a day and fasting. There are mosques visited by Pakistanis daily. Family characteristics also reflect that "Pakistani Americans mingle with their American counterparts or with members of other immigrant ethnic groups in work situations, but often choose to spend their leisure time with members of their own community” CITATION Tin17 \l 1033 (Pavri). Pakistanis have managed to maintain their cultural identity in America. They are still clinging to their old traditions and customs.
Work Cited
BIBLIOGRAPHY Ghauri, Irfan. Half a million Pakistanis deported since 2012. 2012. 08 03 2019 <https://tribune.com.pk/story/1498049/half-million-pakistanis-deported-since-2012/>.
Pavri, Tinaz. Pakistani americans. 2017. 08 03 2019 <https://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Pakistani-Americans.html>.
PEW. Pakistanis in the U.S. Fact Sheet. 2016. 08 03 2019 <http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/fact-sheet/asian-americans-pakistanis-in-the-u-s/>.
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