Immigration Trends and Data
The dominant motives of West African immigrants to America differ by country of origin.
Immigrants from Nigeria often come to the U.S. to complete their higher education or secure skilled jobs, and tend to be better-educated than other immigrant groups upon their arrival in the U.S.
By contrast, many immigrants from Liberia and Sierra Leone have been forced to flee war or persecution in their home countries, and a large number have arrived as refugees or asylum seekers.