Political and Legal Factors in the USA Conditioning Migration Processes and Tourist Activity of American Polonia

Abstract

The United States are characterised by a long history related to immigration, which is reflected in legislation. Law constitutes the main instrument of immigration policy. Poland is one of four EU countries, apart from Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus, that are still outside the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Entering the VWP gives the right to arrive in the United States without a visa for the period of up to 90 days. The influence of changes that have occurred in immigration law that has been adopted in the recent years may be relevant to the situation of a certain number of Poles and people of Polish origin in the United States. The entry into force of the Immigration and Reform Act (the so-called Dream Act), i.e. amnesty for people who - as children - arrived in the United States illegally under the care of their parents, as well as discontinuance of deportation proceedings against people who are not criminals and whose cases are not qualified as priority ones, give illegal immigrants a chance to regulate their status. The main objective of the article is to present political and le- gal factors that determine the activity and choice of tourist destination among the Chicago Polonia. One of the most important factors that contribute to tourist activity among the American Polonia is the legally regulated residence situation. The method of a diagnostic survey in the form of surveys among the Polonia in the number of 1014 in the Polish and English language will be applied in the article. The results presented confirm that the residence status of the respondents in the United States does not affect the frequency of trips during the year; people residing in the United States legally spend more time on relaxation during the year than individuals staying in the United States illegally; people staying in the United States legally spend a larger sum of money on travelling during the year than people residing in the United States illegally; as well as that the regulated residence status of the Polonia influences the choice of the direction of travelling also within the country.