Year in Review 2007
Migration: Year in Review 2007 - Rich Basas & Cathryn Cluver
Summary:
The past twelve months of 2007 have gone beyond expectations in showing immigration policymakers that the traditional view of migration will have to change and that there are few in that policy community who know how to deal with it.
The first change that has taken place this year is on the macro level, where large economies such as the US and EU have tried to shift their focus completely towards an immigration system that yields the most talented people worldwide to come into their societies. Problematically, they also try to limit and balance the rights of people in poverty who also permeate the borders in order to improve their lives by any means necessary. While Europe has tried to increase border patrols and create new legislation to bring in profitable migrants, the current migrants living inside the EU have sought greater equality in almost every major city in the EU via open protest. This complicated compromise has also taken a great hold in the US, where immigration and the inability to reform it will likely become the next hot topic in the next US election despite no party successfully creating an effective policy to deal with it, focusing more on the end of Bush than on positive migration policies.
The second major change in migration policy this year has been the debate on the rights of migrants on the micro level, where there have been many cases of individuals and smaller communities becoming lost in the rights game. These individuals often do not have the economic or political clout as smaller minorities in a society to deal with the issues. These problems have marked themselves in the apparent accidental death of migrants in London, Vancouver and the jailing of others for indefinite periods of time without trial in many Western countries. Immigrants constitutionally have the same rights as any other citizen, but this view has been skewed greatly in 2007.
A major opportunity will come in 2008 to have immigration policy stay the same for years to come, or to drastically change it worldwide. The next US election will likely be the catalyst for any change or lack thereof in 2008.
Most Critical Event(s): Iraqi and Darfur Refugees
The most critical event is more of a lack of action to an event as opposed to an event itself. This year is when some attention given concerning more than 2 million Iraqi refugees and hundreds of Darfur refugees leaving their homes. The international community has done very little, if anything at all to assist victims of our modern genocide in Darfur and 2 million people leaving a war torn Iraq which exists due to the international community’s errors in the last 15 years.
Estimates vary, but UNHCR reports that about 2.2 million Iraqis have left the country. Surrounding countries bore the brunt of the burden, (Syria - 1.4 million Iraqis; Jordan – between 500,000 and 750,000), but struggled to cope with the rapid developments. In October, Syria effectively shut down its border, following the Jordanian example of 2006 of introducing visa requirements. Internationally, Sweden received most Iraqi immigrants, with the US as main occupying power falling far behind publicly made commitments to fulfill international obligations to aid Iraqi refugees.
Most Influential Person: Jean Charles de Menezes (R. Basas)/US Congress and Senate (C. Cluver)
One of the most disturbing stories of the year concerns the death of the Brazilian Migrant to London, Jean Charles de Menezes who was killed by London Police during the 2005 bombings. I give credit to de Menezes as he represents any migrant in any city that just simply comes to contribute to their new community. He was unjustifiably killed and the London Police covered up his case until an inquiry and judgement this year detailed the errors and irresponsibility of officials in the case. He plainly died because he was an immigrant and owned the perception that he has no concrete rights in a society based on fundamental rights. May you have all of our blessings Charles.
Most (non)Influential People: The US Congress and Senate
When Democrats took the control of the US Congress in 2007, comprehensive immigration reform seemed all but certain. Following a number of proposals, such as the Strive Act, which shared a number of basic points, including enhanced border security, measures toward clearing up the backlog of family immigration applications, and some form of created a guest worker program or new points-based system, the Senate negotiated a new bill in late May. Publicly the bill was seen as an amnesty law and eventually abandoned, in favor of tightening existing legislation – at least for now. This lands the responsibility of forging a compromise toward a lasting, comprehensive reform of immigration legislation in the US with the incoming President, as momentum for action seems to have dissipated.
Most Influential Company: Mattel (R. Basas)/Migrantas (C. Cluver)
Any company that can change the face of employment in the Americas has to be the most influential. Mattel has single headedly helped make Dora the Explorer, America’s number one Latin star one of the most produced toys in China and most purchased worldwide. At the same time Mattel helped destroy the industry by painting her in lead covered colours. In the process many of these character while once produced in Mexico are now being wholly made in Asia to Latin America’s detriment. Ironic isn’t it!
An initiative launched by three Argentinian graphic designers, themselves immigrants to Berlin, takes a closer look at the migrant experience – from the feelings of loss and isolation, to the relief at finding a new and welcoming home abroad. Their project has won a number of government and private supporters and their posters, dotted across the German urban landscape, now serve as a striking reminder of all aspects of the human side of immigration.
Most Influential Organization: Iraq Asia Cup Champions 2007 (R. Basas)/ The European Union (C. Cluver)
Iraq’s National Football Association for bringing some hope to Iraqis and helping the underfunded team reach victory in the Asia Cup defeating the powerful Saudi team 1-0 in the final match. Another achievement is the lack of expected violence after the match as Iraqis celebrated with minimal incidences, an uncommon occurrence in Iraq which seems to suffer from bombings almost daily.
The European Union
After years of haggling and announcing forthcoming solutions, the European Commission finally unveiled its plans for an EU Blue Card to attract highly-skilled migrants in the competition for the world’s best and brightest.
While the announcement caused plenty of controversy among Member States (the UK is likely to drop out of this provision, given its new points system, while Germany is vehemently against a seemingly centralized solution), governments will have to compellingly explain to their electorate why participation in this balanced, comprehensive program is not in their national interest.
Elsewhere, the EU is finally making good on promises to increase cooperation with sending countries, particularly Africa. In September, the Commission announced plans for the new Centre for Migration Management in Bamako, Mali. The recent EU-Africa Summit underlined the commitment by actors on both sides to implement concrete measures as outlined in the Tripoli EU-Africa Migration Summit conclusions in 2006. Whether we will see that concrete action in 2008, given the disputes over trade and other issues on the fringes of the last summit, remains to be seen.
Most Unexpected Development: Canada-Ontario Provincial Election 2007
Despite having one of the most diverse populations in the world and in Canada, Ontario Primier Dalton McGuinty won the Provincial Election this year based on declaring that groups such as Muslims, Jews and Non-Catholic Christians denominations promoted Segregation in the Ontario school system when requesting public funds to put their private schools on par with Public and Catholic school boards in the Province. The issue so dominated the election that Dalton won a large majority despite his assured loss before the issue took hold in the media. Many journalists saw much of the election as an Anti-Muslim paranoia campaign as opposed to a simple issue of education. The whole event has done nothing but to divide people and politics in the Province and alienate many minority groups in the process.
Best Photo 2007: Manjit Singh: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R. Basas)/Immigrants survivors (C. Cluver)
Manjit Singh and a lady officer in RCMP livery. Manjit, though not an RCMP officer, donned the uniform to show how a turban looked with the police gear. Attributes go to Tribune India (www.tribuneindia.com).
I chose this picture for one of my favourites this past year as in one image it shows how a strong tradition in one country can adapt and be accommodating to another one while still being welcoming. For the blog entry accompanying this photo please click here. For the original article, please click here.
The EPA picture of 27 migrants who had clung to a fishing net off the coast of Lampedusa for three days in a desperate plea to reach the Europe, the “promised land”. These few that made it stand for the hundreds of lives lost at sea over the past year, trying to reach safer shores.
The picture serves to remind us that despite EU-border control outfit FRONTEX taking up operations, despite talks of a EU-Mediterranean Union, which would address immigration issues, despite a new EU immigration coordination institution in Northern Africa, there are still hundreds of people whose lives are so destitute that they are willing to put everything on the line in the hope of a better future.
Best Reporting: Cathryn Cluver: ABC San Francisco and FPA Migration Blog (R. Basas)/Julia Preston, New York Times (C. Cluver)
Migration Co-Blogger Cathryn Cluver was contacted by the ABC affiliate in San Francisco regarding her blog piece on the EU Commission’s Immigration policy proposal and her expertise on migration trends in Europe and the US. Very impressive work Cathryn!
Julia Preston travels the country, excelling in consistent, committed, accurate stories on both the macro and micro aspects of the US migration equation.
Best Quote: Gibran Khalil Gibran (R. Basas)/Roger Cohen (C. Cluver)
In a blog written discussing the various limitations to education and multiculturalism the following quote summed up everything very nicely:
“Exaggeration is truth that has lost its temper” - Gibran Khalil Gibran
Roger Cohen, in an Op-Ed for the International Herald Tribune
“Of all the Iraq war scandals, America’s failure to do more for refugees, including thousands who put their lives at risk for the U.S., stands out for its moral bankruptcy. Last time I checked, Sweden did not invade Iraq. Its generosity shames President Bush’s fear-infused nation.”
Best Book: Prisoner of Tehran by M. Nemat/ Opening the Floodgates by K. Johnson
Marina Nemat published her book The Prisoner of Tehran on her time as a political prisoner in Iran in the 1980s. In her time there she was arrested for having negative views of the Revolution of 1979 and was put in prison for many years. Her perspective is an interesting one, as one of her interrogators, who was a political prisoner himself under the Shah became her husband in the end.
In Opening the Floodgates: Why America Needs to Rethink its Borders and Immigration Laws author Kevin Johnson, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicano/a Studies at the University of California Davis, makes a compelling argument for open, rather than closed borders in the debate toward US immigration reform.
Predictions for 2008:
The best prediction anyone can ever expect is summarised in a cruel joke about Economists.
“Economists are experts in predicting events after they happen”
For this reason I will give my best try in predicting the events of 2008 without it becoming a cruel joke about anyone’s chosen profession.
Migration in 2008 in the Americas will be completely tied up in the next US election. This opportunity will become dependent on the weight of the issue and will effect all immigration to the US from the Americas. Most likely there will not be more than a debate on the issue and likely more of an absence of new policy. There will also be an attempt to integrate more economically focused migrants into the US and Europe, while at the same time dealing with Iraq and the apparent recession likely to come out of various conflicts and heated economies slowing down to meet the troubles in the United States.
With regards to Emerging Market Economies such as China and India, there will need to be an increased ability to placate the US with increased anti-trade feelings and a skills gap which needs to be addressed in the US and EU. Whether policy meets these challenges will be reflected in the ability for migrants to satisfy the varied industries in these large economies. Some barriers to trade may effect migration policies in the coming year.
The most difficult challenge will be how to deal with is poverty and the thousands of people illegally migrating into other countries. New policies to help address root causes may show early effects in places like North Africa, but walls and administrative limits will continue to be negligible barriers to people who will literally do anything to make a better life. Hopefully less casualties will be the end result in 2008.