The history of migration is a complex one due to the fact that people have been migrating since the dawn of history. Migration in its most basic terms involves people leaving their homeland and relocating to another region, usually in search of better opportunities or in response to conflict. Human migration has been common throughout history, as people moved around for trade and exploration, fleeing persecution or danger, or simply seeking refuge and a better life. Migration has also been an important part of human development, as new populations brought with them new ideas and cultures that transformed the areas to which they moved. In the modern era, migration has become increasingly complex, with refugees, economic migrants, and other displaced populations often moving across borders to pursue a variety of goals. Immigration policy, economic and political forces, and other global dynamics have helped shape the modern history of human migration.