Migration

This week’s news features commentary on the future of illegal immigration in the United States, a roundup of the integration summit in Germany and a call to change the international refugee convention to include the victims of famine and drought.

• Der Spiegel has full coverage of the German integration summit (in English), which hardly went as originally planned, plagued by boycotts from Turkish organizations. The overall integration concept was criticized by migrant groups for not being inclusive enough. Given the almost 40 years during which Germany denied being an immigration country, despite the largest number of foreigners living on its soil in Europe, this policy action plan attempts to be a tour de force. Nevertheless, much like the immigration legislation that was introduced during the last administration, one cannot but feel that all this comes a little too late. Coverage on the issue from the IHT can be found here.
• The European Council on Refugees and Exiles has published its report on the situation for refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced
  persons (IDPs) in Belarus, Moldova, Russian Federation and Ukraine in 2006.
• Over in the UK, the Institute for Public Policy Research is calling for an amnesty on illegal immigrants so that these migrants could become active tax payers. The think tank argues that deportation of Britain’s estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants would not only be a huge burden on tax payers, but is practically impossible - to say nothing of the fact that it would take over 30 years at the current rate. The BBC has the story here.
• Australia’s newspaper The Age features a commentary by Dr. Mirko Bagaric, former member of the Refugee Review Tribunal, who argues that the international refugee convention should be amended to include those suffering from famine and abject poverty: “Australia should take a leading role in broadening the scope of people it will allow to migrate for reasons of need. We need to broaden the definition of a refugee so that our compassion extends to those who are suffering the greatest degree of deprivation.”
• One of New York City’s most prominent immigration activists, Victor Toro, might face deportation, the New York Times reports, after his status was unveiled in a routine check by border patrol agents on regional transport.
• Another article in the same paper chronicles how immigrant activists are increasingly turning to second generation migrants as allies in their political efforts: “Many young people raised in this country know their way around a system that sometimes baffles their parents. Those who are citizens can speak out for those who have yet to get their papers.”
• Though not strictly from this week, The Economist, features an article on the drive to naturalize legally resident immigrants ahead of the US Presidential elections next fall.
• The same magazine comments on the failure of the Senate immigration Bill and offers a glimpse into the future: “Likely consequence will be an outbreak of ad hoc law-making in cities and states. Liberal and Hispanic enclaves may follow the example of National City, on the outskirts of San Diego, and declare themselves to be “sanctuary cities” where police officers are told not to quiz people about their immigration status. Others—probably a greater number—will tell the cops to do precisely that, or enact other laws against illegal immigrants and the people who house and employ them.”

With the failure of the Immigration Reform Bill there has been a refocusing on the issues regarding the current state of affairs surrounding illegal immigration. This year there has already been 275 bodies found between US-Mexico border and it is expected that that number is going to rise to a record of over 500 bodies in 2007. Much of the criticism coming from some border experts is that increased border security creates a situation where migrants seek more dangerous and unfriendly means to make it across the border, and since 1994 when border security was tightened nearly 4,500 Mexicans and Central Americans have perished trying to make it to the US.

While there is much debate on why it has become more dangerous to cross the border, it is believed that while in the past many met their fate due to traffic accidents, the main culprit in recent history is hypothermia from cold desert temperatures and many being drenched while crossing the Rio Grande river between Mexico and the US and not being able to warm themselves to save their lives. Another risk mentioned are the cases of some smugglers, commonly called “coyotes” abandoning their migrants or physically assaulting them. While much of the statistics show the evident rise in risks in crossing the border and the links with border security, much of the information details only the situation US side of the border. Despite all these statistics, or lack thereof, much of these issues are common knowledge on both sides of the border.

The question that needs to be asked in my opinion is whether these migrants from Mexico and Central America and the US and its economy and people are two independent issues, or whether in that part of the Americas those two groups are completely interdependent on each other. One can only give their best observation, but I believe there is a solid point to be made in the film A Day Without a Mexican-2004 where California is ground to a halt when on May 14th every Mexican worker disappears from the streets of California and its citizens attempt to manage their lives without the thousands of illegal immigrants who do much of the labour in today’s America.

Despite the humoristic observations of the filmmakers, in reality the situation on the border is one of perpetual crisis. With an economy so dependent on its inexpensive labour and so resistant to accept the workers who do those tasks, it seems the solution to many of these issues are non-existent except to make a movie about something no one can agree on yet everyone knows they could not live without.

The failure of Immigration reform in the US marked a special occasion in recent US political history where both parties have come to complete consensus over an issue, and have decided that NO ONE can agree on anything when it comes to reforming the unworkable immigration laws in the United States. The plan was finally put to rest when members of both the Democrats and Republicans could not come to any consensus in reforming the key issues tied in with immigration last week. The main points of disagreement among US politicians were debates over border security, what to do with the approximately 12 million illegal immigrants in the US, and allowing a new process for foreign workers to be able to work legally in the US. Addressing these three main issue were considered by many as asking too much too soon in altering current US immigration policy.

The effect on the Bush Administration disallows any attempt to improve domestic support and his overall reputation before he leaves office. Many political experts see immigration as a dead issue until 2009, when a new President can adopt the issue to gain their own support and leave the Bush legacy with only Iraq and scandals as its main points of historical debate. It remains to be seen how future candidates will address immigration, if at all in the upcoming US elections.

The real losers however are immigrants and Americans themselves. In the June 30th article by the New York Times: Immigrants Work On as Bill Dies and Views Divide, news of the failed reforms met some concerned groups with quiet mediocrity while others were happy to know that they may still have a good chance to make it to America without increased border security hindering their chances. Workers currently in the US, like Ediberto Perez reacted by saying: “Well, I am just going to keep working, What more can I do?” Also spoken about in the New York Times article was Mr. Brito, who thought him and his companions would never gain legal status. He has his wife and four children living in Mexico and while said he would love to become legal, it would not stop him from working at any job he can find.

Criticisms of the continuation of the labour situation in the US have met criticism from across the border in Mexico. Mexican President Felipe Calderon called the Senate’s decision a “grave error” and a failure to find a “sensible, rational, legal solution to the migration problem.” Jorge Bustamente of the UN human rights commission for migrants criticized the lack of reform measures by stating, “It means the continuation and probably a worsening of the migrants’ vulnerable conditions.” Mexican newspaper El Universal also commented on the failure of the immigration reform by stating that while American politicians want labour, they are unwilling to legalise the labour they require.

While delaying approaching the immigration issue until 2009 may not solve any current problems, it is evident that there is still a severe lack of consensus in dealing with immigration in the United States. While agreeing to disagree is the result of this latest round of immigration issues across America and beyond its borders into Mexico and abroad, everyone concerned must deal with its political paralysis for the time being.

The US Senate’s failure to move the compromise bill on immigration reform forward has dominated headlines over the past few days. Meanwhile, the election of the first black mayor in Ireland is being heralded as a success of that country’s integration policies. As Portugal takes over the rotating EU Council Presidency from Germany for the next six months, the European Council of Refugees and Exiles highlights a number of priorities, including the creation of a pan-European asylum system.

• The Economist summarizes the proposed US immigration bill and the political arguments that ultimately led to its failure.
• Randal Archibold of the NYT visited US migrants as the news broke to gather their impressions. His five-page article vividly proves why the current legal situation is unsatisfactory, and endangers the lives and livelihoods of many thousands of migrants living, working and contributing to the US economy in all 50 States today.
• The first black mayor in Ireland is heralding his election as a proof of how well European societies can adapt to rapid flows of migration, the Guardian reports. Rotimi Adebari, who arrived in Ireland as an asylum seeker seven years ago and had difficulties finding employment in the first few years, was elected mayor ofPortlaoise, backed by established parties, including Fine Gael and Sinn Féin councilors.
•  Another migrant vessel sank between Libya and Malta this weekend, killing at least 20 would-be immigrants. German newspaper, the Frankfurter Rundschau, is reporting that the Italian government has reacted and presented a new immigration law to curtail immigration but de-criminalize the attempt to land on Italian shore. Romano Prodi’s coalition government is also proposing to get rid of the obligatory language test introduced by the previous conservative government under Silvio Berlusconi. Instead, the new law introduces the concept of “sponsors” which commit themselves to guaranteeing a job or financial support to allow a new migrant legal status. In addition, the government wants to end the mandatory detention of illegal immigrants. Only violent or uncooperative migrants are to be detained in the future and financial aid offered to facilitate the return of those migrants not accorded the temporary right to stay. The opposition led by Berlusconi has announced to fight this new legal proposal. We will cover this story and add English links as soon as they become available.
• The European Council on Refugees and Exiles has published its memorandum to the Portuguese EU Presidency, recalling the priorities toward creating a Common European Asylum System by 2010.

On Tuesday, another attempt to bring the Senate Immigration Reform Bill into the crosshairs of American policymakers and bring the reform bill back to the Senate floor was created by President Bush and supporters of immigration reform in the United States. The general impression is that the bill will likely fail to be passed again, with objections to over two dozen amendments shadowing the lack of support and likely terminal end of the reform process, the opportunities in having the bill passed are few and far between.

The simple and overwhelming problem is that Americans just can’t agree on what to do with immigration reform. House Republicans have consistently opposed the reform bill, and the Democrats have clearly stated that without a certain level of Republican support, they will not support a failed bill.

Americans themselves are divided on the issue, with appx. 47% opposed to the bill and 30% supporting it in recent CNN polls, still it is shown that 45% of people still support friendly policies towards immigrants within any new legislation to be presented.

There are many reasons why immigration has become an issue in the US. An often neglected point of view on immigration was highlighted in the New York Times article: Anxiety in the land of the Anti-Immigration Crusader, where the author discusses why in one region of Colorado, with some of the lowest numbers of immigrants in the US has a unique concern over immigration. In the Colorado district the concern is twofold. One concern is that highly skilled workers are seen to be limiting well paying jobs for Americans under the H1B visa which allows for highly skilled and technical foreigners to come and work in the US. The other concern is China, which is seen as taking manufacturing jobs away from the northern regions of Mexico and creating a situation where Mexicans with no employment opportunities come to the US as an after-effect of Globalisation.

In the end, the debate is really a mix of having compassion, while upholding the law of the land and producing an immigration system where immigrants who are welcome are treated as “Americans” and are willing to become part of the American social fabric. The problem is that no one exactly knows how to make someone truly American, or even agree on what that entails. While upholding the laws to keep illegals out or at least in a regulated process is difficult, the idea of what it is to be truly American or European or part of any society is the great catalyst of debate in discussing Immigration in all countries.

The New York Times is reporting a wonderful story about a satirical column by Gustavo Arellano, which runs in the alternative Orange County, CA. newspaper. The friendly advice column Ask a Mexican! has dedicated itself to openly addressing stereotypes that often plague the relationship between the large Mexican immigrant population and the rest of the population. His column, which now appears in two dozen alternative weeklies and has just been turned into a book, has become a ‘hot topic’ accross the nation. Many feel that his satirical commentary reinforces stereotyping, while others are thankful for the humorous look at the problems that arise with increased immigration. While some in the Mexican community consider him to be a pariah, Arellano vows to soldier on, clarifying that Mexicans don’t call white people gringos - “only gringos call gringos gringos.”

Check out his weekly column here.

Much happened in migration related matters across the globe this week. Following the conservative victory in the parliamentary elections, the French president moved ahead on realizing his new restrictive immigration policies, while at the same time creating the most inclusive government in the country’s history. Elsewhere, US conservatives are stepping up the pressure to move ahead on the immigration bill, while the UK joins the chorus of European countries introducing measures to attract the most talented migrants to the country to fill existing skills gaps. This week’s news roundup also features two new pieces of analysis from the MPI and ECRE. Happy clicking:

• This week’s edition of the Economist features an article about Malta’s changing attitude towards migration and the start of Operation Nautilus II, designed to control the waters between Africa and European islands.
• We recently reported that France’s new government is moving swiftly to implement changes to existing institutional structures governing immigration affairs and changing legal requirements for family members looking to join migrants in the country. Well, not without a fair amount of opposition, as is the French tradition. Plans for a national ministry of immigration and national identity caused controversy during the Presidential campaign and drew protest from various groups. Now, the IHT reports a new petition has been published in the left-leaning newspaper Liberation. These types of protests will have little impact on M. Sarkozy’s plans, but are a part of the French democratic tradition.
• While he seems to be cracking down in his policies, M. Le President’s most recent cabinet reshuffle (following the parliamentary elections) produced the most inclusive government France has ever seen. In what is largely interpreted as a move to reconcile withe the minority groups he isolated throughout his campaign and his tenure as interior minister, Sarkozy has named three women (WOMEN!) of Northern African origin to his cabinet. Two new junior ministers now join the already appointed justice minister, Rachida Dati, around the president’s cabinet table.
• In the run-up to the presentation of Germany’s national plan for migrant integration on July 12, a number of federal states are publishing and promoting their individual approaches. On June 21st I attended a panel discussion hosted by the Koerber Foundation, which featured one of Berlin’s leading integration policy makers, Guenter Piening. He presented parts of the new program, which is available in full here (in German). The plan includes a number of functional changes that will facilitate access to basic social services, including full and equal access to education and the full integration of migrants into the work force - changes, which are long overdue. Monitoring and measuring the success of integration policies is another new element introduced in this updated plan. I will review Berlin’s approach in the context of Germany’s new  toward integrating migrants in a separate post. To understand the evolution of Berlin’s integration concept, Piening’s 2005  policy action plan (in English) is an interesting read.
• The Senate immigration bill is still one of the hottest topics on the Hill. On Thursday, Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff went on the record to oppose an amendment, which could make a new program to stop businesses from hiring illegal workers less burdensome. In a letter to Senators he said that taking such a decision “would be a serious step backwards in our enforcement effort.” This statement came as news broke that Federal agents had arrested 81 suspected illegal immigrants during a raid at a manufacturing plant in the Pocono mountains in Pennsylvania. The company said an agency that provided temporary workers was , the IHT reports. Mr. Chertoff, meanwhile, might have other recent worries: the ACLU is suing the Department of Homeland Security in the name of two migrants who say they were drugged by department officials to ease their deportation. Just days earlier and hoping to influence the Congressional debate on the immigration bill, the White House released a study citing the positive effects of immgrant labor on the nation’s economy. The New York Times has a full report.
• The first Muslim prayer site was opened on Friday in Athens, Greece since the end of the Ottoman Empire, the New York Times reports.
• We recently reported that German industrial organizations were pressuring the German government to ease up their requirements on admitting labor migrants into the economy. Britain seems to be interested in doing the same. Where only a mere three years ago, critics complained that the generous welfare system was attracting too many unwanted migrants, the Guardian is now reporting that immigration minister Liam Byrne is planning to launch an “an international marketing campaign designed to attract businesses and people with the right skills” - the global war for talent is on.
• On the reports and analysis front: the always prolific Migration Policy Insitute issued a new report coinciding with World Refugee Day entitled “Bridging Divides: The Role of Ethnic Community-Based
  Organizations in Refugee Integration” (pdf).   As the German EU Council Presidency comes to a close and the Portuguese government prepares to take over, the European Council on Refugees and Exiles has prepared a memorandum on EU asylum and refugee policy over the next six months.

This week’s news roundup covers the aftermath of the failed reforms US Immigration policy initiative as well as covering further developments on the tragedy of the missing migrants and the EU response to this new scandal. Also a story on possible inequalities in the UK immigration system for skilled migrants is included:

• The Financial Times discusses the perplexing political issues with both Democrats and Republicans over the lack of support for real reform of US Immigration Policy. FT states that in reality no one fully supported the new policy, or if they did support it, perhaps they did not think it would actually be successful. To see this interesting commentary see the link to the June 12th article here.
• The EU and the EU Commissioner for Migration, Franco Frattini are facing many questions regarding the death of 27 migrants who spent 3 days sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with no assistance from the EU (see last week’s Update). The responsibility and legal obligations of the EU and its member states to protect illegal migrants has become a very heated issue among member states, as some have more control over resources than others, while certain states like Spain and Malta absorb much of the burden in finding and protecting illegal migrants. For a further discussion see the Reuters article here.
• Immigration reforms in the UK since 2003 seek to qualify applicants for citizenship based on skills, age, education and previous earnings as opposed to family links. Recently there has been some controversy as retroactive rules which apply to skilled migrants who came before the programme are said to not comply with the UK’s race equality assessment measures which gave a failing grade to the new highly skilled migrants programme (HSMP) that has been in effect since 2003.  See the Guardian article here.

This week’s news roundup covers EU initiatives to create a Common European Asylum System as well as France’s possible new focus on immigration policy as well as highlighting opinion tools for Americans on their attitudes towards immigration after the failure of the Immigration Bill to be passed through the US Senate. Also stories on Aid workers killed in Lebanon and links towards the refugee tragedy in the Mediterranean are highlighted:

• French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said last Friday in his tour of Africa that France will not tolerate waves of African migrants coming to France. Since the election of France’s new President Nicolas Sarkozy, many migrants have been worried about the possible changes to France’s immigration policy. While Kouchner did show a tough stance on France’s new approach to immigration, he did clarify that France’s immigrants should be treated fairly and that much of the concern came from the high risk illegal immigrants. He may have been influenced by events last week where 110 bodies where discovered in the Mediterranean Sea between Malta and Libya, thought to be illegal immigrants who became victim to their “uncertain vessels” and a fortuneless journey.
• On June 6th 2007 the European Comission published a Green Paper to create the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as well as an evaluation of the Dublin System and a Directive on long-term residence for the beneficiaries of International Protection. It is hoped that the focus on irregular migrations, which has dominated European Immigration Policy in the past, will be refocused towards the rights and obligations of all EU Member states on the rights of Asylum seekers in the EU. After the tragedy mentioned above, a mechanism to ensure the rights of Asylum seekers needs to be established equally in all EU states.
• With the failed progression on the Immigration Reform Bill, MSNBC has created a website to gain American’s opinions on the immigration issue and the reform bill from American citizens. While the Bill has been set aside indefinitely, the issue of immigration in the US still holds strong among many people. See the links here for opinions.
• In a June 11th article for the Guardian Newspaper, two Red Cross workers were killed and one seriously wounded today in Lebanon. The shell that hit their vehicle came from Fatah Islam militants held up inside the Northern edge of the Nahr al-Bared camp. For more information see the Lebanon post below.

The focus of President Bush’s weekly radio address often takes to speaking about how support for the war in Iraq is necessary and how his immigration policy must be supported. While unfortunately there is no end to the War in Iraq in sight, the President’s Immigration Reform might have had met it’s final end this past weekend when the Immigration Bill was set aside indefinitely.

Bush’s attempts at reforming the US Immigration system are unique in his eight year Presidency. While Democrats often shy away from supporting any policy of the Bush Administration, with regards to immigration varied opinions from both Democrats and Republicans placed members of both parties at different ends of the chess board. Ironically many Democrats supported much of the Bill’s reforms, while many Republicans felt the Bill offered too much of an Amnesty and not enough security against illegal immigrants and possible terrorist threats. Not all Democrats supported the Bill however, seeing the Bill not going far enough in forming a realistic immigration policy. In the end, the lack of support from both parties allowed the Bill to be set aside last Thursday in the US Senate.

Bush and supporters of the legislation still are seeking to push the Bill forward despite the major setback in the US Senate. While Bush attempted to placate some Republican’s concerns over the Bill by saying in his Radio Address that the Bill is far from being an “Amnesty” for illegal immigrants, he also is fully aware that the Bill is not perfect. Supporters of the Bill, both Democrats and Republicans feel that the Bill was extinguished much too soon, and that “stall tactics” and “fear mongering” (see video in above link) on both sides arising from past tensions has really not given a chance to immigration reform that was really lost too soon for legislation that is too crucial to be forgotten.

Bush’s legacy will not be one of the Compromising President, but with regards to immigration reform the work and efforts and necessity of the new Bill should be considered more important than the quick dismissal it has received in the US Senate last week. While immigration reform is most likely a dead deal right now in the US, its importance has not diminished despite bi-partisan conflict and lack of support for Presidential initiatives on all fronts. The next President, whoever they will be, will likely face similar bi-partisan challenges on all policy decisions in the future…and it is likely that the lack of support for this Bill and the millions of legal and illegal immigrants in the US will be one of the next major campaign issues for the future President….Second as always to Iraq of course!