Every day, throughout the world, people make the difficult decision to leave their homes in search of better life in a safer place. Whether it be deadly civil war in Syria, or crushing poverty and the failure of governments in Central America, the flow of forced migrants is a human catastrophe that has caused the displacement of nearly 79.5 million people during the last decade.

Experts have called the situation the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Today, 3% of the world’s population, roughly 258 million people, live outside their native country according to The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR). These journeys, which often begin with the hope for a better future, are often met with danger, extreme hardship, imprisonment, or in some cases, death.

This crisis has been heightened by disturbing stories and images that continue to emerge from detention centers along the southern United States (U.S.) border with Mexico, in Greece, and elsewhere. Perhaps even more alarming than the growing numbers is the increasing hostility toward refugees globally, particularly in developed countries like the U.S., whose governments have historically pledged to assist asylum seekers.

Accepting refugees can be problematic for any country, as there is always competition for resources that can stir anger and mistrust among the tax-paying population, and become an economic drain with the influx refugees can have on labor markets. But experts say it is difficult to fully understand the economics of massive migrations without careful, thorough research on its rippling effects over time.

The U.S. has historically presented itself as a welcoming to immigrants. Today, one in seven U.S. residents is an immigrant; one in eight residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent.

Yet, since he took office in 2016, President Donald Trump has aggressively tried to restrict immigration. His expansion of border wall with Mexico, increased travel restrictions, slowed visa processing, and other overt attempts at barring asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants from entering the country have been controversial. While his “America First” campaign is seen by many as protecting native-born Americans from having to compete with foreign workers, it has sparked outrage among immigration advocates. Some cities in the U.S. have opposed Trump’s crackdown on immigrants with the designation of Sanitary Cities.

This essay explores the factors forcing people to migrate or flee their homes. It also examines the significant obstacles refugees face while trying to seek asylum in the U.S., and the European Union. It also examines the challenges of assimilation in the U.S. as refugees try to build a new life, as many face daily racism, xenophobia and discrimination.