chain migration

American  

[cheyn mahy-grey-shuhn] / ˈtʃeɪn maɪˌgreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a form of family immigration where one person is granted legal residency or citizenship to a country, and then petitions to bring their immediate or extended family into the country.

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Etymology

Origin of chain migration

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

From the 1950s, Indians and Pakistanis came to Leicester through so-called chain migration - via previous family members or villagers who were already settled in the city.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2022

The text of the order, which expires in late June, specifically applies to those seeking green cards from outside the U.S. — including those applying under the diversity lottery, work green cards and chain migration.

From Fox News • May 7, 2020

But if we are to debate the right policy on chain migration, we should first understand what the debate is about.

From Washington Post • Feb. 14, 2018

“If you do that, you have to address the issue of chain migration, and that’s where it becomes a lot more complicated.”

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2018

Each wave of migrants drew friends and relatives to join them, until chain migration had brought nearly 3 million more Irish to America by the end of the nineteenth century.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018