Immigration to the Western world
Immigration has had a major influence on the demographics and culture of the Western world. Immigration to the West started happening in significant numbers during the 1960s and afterward,[1] as Europe made its post-war economic recovery and the United States passed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 allowing non-European immigration.[2][3][4][5]
Immigration to the West has often been related to the West's colonial history; for example, immigration to Britain historically has come largely from former British colonies (generally as part of the broader Commonwealth migration.)[6][7] Wars that Western countries have recently been involved in, and the fallout or flows of refugees associated with them, have also been tied to the inflow of immigration.[8]
Significant debate has taken place around the economic and other benefits associated with immigration (particularly for low-skilled workers),[9][10] with Western governments often more in favor of immigration than their constituents.[11] Debate has also taken place around both the theory and current state of integration of the immigrants, with some favoring multiculturalism as a solution.[12]