Date of Completion
5-3-2024
Degree Type
Honors Thesis - Campus Access
Discipline
Political Science (POLS)
First Advisor
Dr. Kerstin Fisk
Abstract
The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis is the largest forced movement of people in Europe since World War II. The European Union has responded with an unprecedented Temporary Protection Directive offering Ukrainians access to residence permits and social services and the United States has instituted a strong entrance program. The literature on the decision-making of forced migrants centers on choice theory, finding that even in the crisis of war, people are actors making choices about their lives. However, researchers debate what factors are most impactful on the decision to leave and the final destination of migrants. Some find that economic factors are the most important, while others point to safety from violence, access to social services, and large ethnic networks as more significant to forced migrants. Through a mixed methods analysis consisting of semi-structured interviews and analysis of migration data, I examine Ukrainians’ motivations for leaving their homes and choosing to seek asylum in certain countries over others. I find that violence and economic collapse push Ukrainians to leave the country, while perceived economic opportunity, common language, and Ukrainian networks pull them to their settlement location. These findings add to the literature by testing established theories on a significant displacement event and support the argument that economic considerations matter but are often shaped by the impact of violence.
Recommended Citation
Fekete, Evan and Fisk, Kerstin, "Whether and To Where?: Push and Pull Factors Affecting Ukrainian Migration Decisions" (2024). Honors Thesis. 502.
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/honors-thesis/502
