Migrants move not only for themselves but also for their families: they send money home, thereby enabling their relatives to live better lives. Migrant-sending countries are also interested in these remittances, which play a key role in their economy. In Jordan, for example, remittances ac- count for 22 per cent of the country’s GDP.
Other migrants move because of political circumstances. They flee war, civil strife, ethnic conflict, violations of human rights or other situations of this kind. Some are recognized as refugees immediately, often in neighbouring countries. Others become asylum seekers. Refugees and asylum seek- ers are not always entitled to work, but many work illegally.