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BIRDS OF PASSAGE

Between 1881 and 1920 a wave of immigration brought more than 23 million new arrivals to the United States. They were largely from eastern and southern Europe. But not all of them planned to stay. "Birds of passage," also known as round-trippers, were usually young male immigrants who intended to make money in the United States and then return to their native countries. After leaving their families behind they traveled to the United States in search of employment, most often during the summer. They were usually hired to work on farms, in mines, and in construction. If work was scarce (as it was following the Panic of 1907) the temporary immigrants often lacked money to pay for the return trip. If work was plentiful the young migrant workers chose to settle in the United States. They became naturalized citizens and brought their families over from their home country. Between 1908 and 1914 U.S. immigration recorded nearly seven million new arrivals and just over two million departures. Many of the two million who departed were considered birds of passage.

See also: Immigration