Migrants are individuals who move from one place to another in search of better opportunities, improved living conditions, or to escape hardships in their country of origin. The reasons for migration vary from economic, social, political, environmental, and personal factors. The migration phenomenon has been part of human history since ancient times and continues to shape the world we live in today. This article will provide an overview of the different types of migrants, the current challenges faced by migrants globally, and the impact of migration on both the migrants themselves and the countries they move to.
Types of Migrants
There are several categories of migrants based on their reason for migration, legal status, and destination. The three main categories of migrants are:
Economic Migrants: These are individuals who migrate primarily for employment opportunities. They may be seeking better-paying jobs, higher living standards, or more stable employment conditions. Economic migrants often leave their home country because of a lack of opportunities or low wages.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees: These are individuals who flee their home country due to persecution, war, or violence. Asylum seekers apply for protection in the country they are seeking asylum in, while refugees have been granted asylum status by a government or international organization.
Illegal or Undocumented Migrants: These are individuals who enter a country without proper documentation and authorization from immigration authorities. They may come for economic reasons or to seek asylum, but their actions are illegal under the laws of the host country.
Current Challenges Faced by Migrants
Migration has become a contentious issue globally, with many countries grappling with how to manage and support the migration of people into their borders. The following are the main challenges faced by migrants today:
Discrimination and Xenophobia: Many migrants face discrimination and prejudice from the host communities they move to. This may involve negative portrayals in the media, discriminatory policies, or even hate crimes.
Exploitation: Migrants are often taken advantage of by employers who exploit their status as vulnerable newcomers. This may involve paying lower wages, offering unsafe working conditions, or refusing to provide benefits such as healthcare or sick leave.
Detention and Deportation: Illegal or undocumented migrants are at risk of detention and deportation. Many countries have strict immigration policies that allow for the detention and deportation of individuals who do not have proper documentation.
Lack of Access to Basic Services: Migrants often face difficulties accessing basic services such as healthcare, education, and housing. This may be due to their immigration status, language barriers, or other factors.
Impact of Migration
Migration has both positive and negative impacts on the countries of origin and destination, as well as on the migrants themselves. The following are some of the main impacts of migration:
Economic Impact: Migration can provide economic benefits to both the migrants and the countries they move to. Migrants often fill essential roles in the labor market, or start businesses that create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
Social Impact: Migration can have a significant impact on the social fabric of both the countries of origin and destination. Migrants may bring cultural diversity to their new homes, and their presence may challenge the social norms and values of the host community. In some cases, social tensions may arise, and integration can be a challenging process.
Political Impact: Migration can have a significant political impact, as it raises issues related to sovereignty, national security, and international relations. Many countries have policies and regulations in place that may restrict or facilitate migration, and political debates on migration have become increasingly heated in recent years.
Conclusion
Migrants are a critical component of the global economy and society. The decision to migrate is often driven by a desire to improve one’s quality of life, but it can also be influenced by external factors such as political instability and persecution. While migration can bring benefits to both the migrants and the countries they move to, it also poses significant challenges that require attention and solutions. Governments and other stakeholders must work together to ensure that migrants are treated with dignity and respect, and that policies and programs are in place to support their integration and well-being.
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The Title 42 rule in the US, introduced by former President Donald Trump's administration to curb the spread of Covid-19, banned most migrants and refugees from seeking protection in the US through the country's southern border. Since it came into force, 2.7 million people have been turned away, according to official figures. The policy lapsed on 12 May, and on that day 200 migrants were allowed to enter the US at the Tijuana-San Diego border. However, those who want to claim asylum will face a lengthy process before a decision is made. A new Title 8 legal rule disqualifies anyone from seeking asylum in the US if they did not apply in countries through which they have travelled first. The Mexican government is reportedly accepting returns under the new rule at the US border.
As the Title 42 policy ended, Venezuelan migrants traveling to the United States through Central and South America have been left confused by conflicting information spread on social media platforms. The policy, which was part of the Covid-19 regulations, previously allowed border officials to deport immigrants who entered the US illegally. As social media and messaging platforms continue to be the primary means of communication for the traveling community, migrants have spoken about receiving different and unclear information. One video on TikTok was viewed 17.4 million times and claimed that anyone entering the US would not face expulsion from the country, while another video warned of immediate deportation after arrival. Despite these rumors, US officials are warning migrants that they could be subjected to deportation, prosecution for illegal entry, and be barred for up to five years.
The new restrictions on asylum that went into effect in the US on 15 July have left asylum seekers struggling to enter the US. The policy is aimed at discouraging illegal migration, but critics argue it fails to address the root causes of the problem, such as poverty, violence and political persecution. Meanwhile, thousands of people continue to migrate. Venezuelan Luis López, a 34-year-old asylum seeker who was lost in Panama’s Darien Gap last year with his pregnant wife, two young children and grandmother, has found shelter with El Paso’s Catholic diocese as he waits for his asylum hearing.
Tens of thousands of asylum seekers, who have gathered on the Mexican border following Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns, believe their best hope of incoming US President Joe Biden improving their chances of entering the country lies in his CBP One app. About 10,000 people alone are stranded in Ciudad Juarez. The changing border policies have caused confusion among the migrants, some of whom have already been removed from the US.
The Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, closed for three years, will soon reopen as part of New York City’s emergency response plan using hotels for asylum seekers, as pandemic-era rules expire that allowed federal officials to turn away asylum seekers from the US border with Mexico. The city will house an expected 1,000 asylum seekers in the former Roosevelt Hotel. The Watson Hotel, Holiday Inn and other hotels are also being refitted for asylum seekers. However, critics of the move believe such situations require long-term solutions, not hotel stays, which end up making communities think that migrants live in luxury.
Since the new Safe Third Country Agreement came into force, illegal migration into Canada from the US has dropped significantly, according to the Canada Border Services Agency. In the 48 days between 25 March and 11 May, the surveillance connected to the deal resulted in just 546 cases of individuals crossing designated ports of entry – 300 of whom were intercepted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This is a steep decrease from January, which saw 4,994 irregular migrants arriving in Canada, and February, which saw 4,581 entering illegally.
Asylum seekers are flowing into cities in the US, including Washington, Denver and New York, and the burden on infrastructure is reaching breaking point, according to local leaders. Washington has seen buses filled with dozens of migrants arriving outside Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence due to Republican governor Greg Abbott’s practice which seeks to give Democratic cities a taste of what border towns are experiencing. Mayor Michael Hancock said Denver has already spent over $17m on supporting migrants to arrive in the Colorado capital. In New York, where more than 4,200 asylum seekers arrived in the past week, Governor Kathy Hochul wants asylum seekers to be housed on federal land.
The UK has practised a policy of mass migration without the necessary preparation for it, causing voter dissatisfaction for Conservative supporters who feel let down and Brexit voters. The government has not prepared public services and has instead offended liberal supporters with its tough talk on migration while offending others who view it as a threat to public service and the standard of living because of its lack of control over migration.Silicon Republic recently reported that the UK tech sector may also suffer from Brexit immigration reforms.The number of workers applying for permanent residency in the UK has increased as a result.
Canada closed a border loophole. Where will migrants go?
CBC
23-05-16 12:00
An immigration loophole used by almost 50,000 migrants to seek asylum in Canada has been closed. Over the past 18 months, Roxham Road in Quebec was a staging point for those hoping to exploit the gap between the points where Canadian and US authorities have jurisdiction. However, midnight on 25 March saw the loophole shut. Dozens of migrants have been caught attempting to enter Canada along the road since the closure. Many who arrived shortly before the clampdown were ended found their journey stopped.
UK Housing Secretary, Michael Gove has said immigration levels are so high there is an “inevitable pressure” on housing supply and public services. Gove argued the Government’s ability to cap the number of people entering Britain must be a vital part of its Brexit freedoms. He cites pressure on housing and public services, as well as issues with traditional milestones such as starting a family and building a home, as reasons for stricter migration controls. Gove also admitted it had become “increasingly difficult” to achieve these milestones due to a lack of affordable housing.
Brazil's "interiorization" program, which offers eligible applicants work permits and free flights to other parts of the country, has seen a surge in approvals in the post-pandemic period as Venezuelans desperate to leave their own country head to Brazil. The program eases pressure on Roraima, Brazil's far northern state, as it deals with the influx of Venezuelan migrants, and has relocated about 100,000 out of the 426,000 Venezuelans who have migrated to Brazil in the past decade. The Gonzalez family has just embarked on their migration journey to join other relatives working in construction in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná.
An op-ed has criticized the Eurovision Song Contest for its lack of racial diversity. Suzanne Moore, writing for the Spectator, called out the lack of representation among acts at the contest, with just a few of the 26 performers featuring a visible ethnic minority. Despite this, Moore questioned why left-wing activists did not voice criticism of Eurovision, compared to how they respond to events in the UK. She speculated that such activists remain silent due to not wanting to acknowledge that the UK is not as racist as it is often accused of being. Moore went on to accuse the Conservative government of “selling out to hyper-liberal globalists”, and for failing to take steps toward cutting immigration rates. Moore also criticized universities that she claims “discriminate against our own young people”.
Mexican security forces are searching for around 50 migrants who were kidnapped from a bus in the central state of San Luis Potosi. The bus, which was found further north in the border state of Nuevo Leon, was missing its two drivers. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has deployed the National Guard to help locate the missing migrants. The incident highlights the growing involvement of organized crime in the trafficking of migrants, particularly as increasing numbers of individuals are crossing through San Luis Potosi on their way to the United States following the lifting of a COVID-era border policy.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, presidential candidate of Turkey's six-party opposition alliance, has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government of permitting 10 million "irregular" migrants into the country. The comment marks a shift in Kilicdaroglu's comments to an anti-migrant and nationalist stance ahead of a May 28 run-off vote. Erdogan's conservative AK Party and its nationalist allies won a comfortable majority in parliament but Erdogan fell just short of the 50% threshold needed to prevent a second-round presidential vote. The AK Party has caught almost 50,600 irregular migrants this year, according to the interior ministry.
Ahead of a May 28 runoff vote for Turkey's presidential race, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the main opposition and rival to Tayyip Erdogan, has accused Turkey of allowing 10 million "irregular" migrants to enter the country. It forms part of a nationalist turn in his rhetoric and came just after his party claimed they had filed complaints over thousands of suspected irregularities at ballot boxes in Sunday's elections. While Kilicdaroglu is against the migrant crisis, Erdogan's AK Party, and nationalist-led allies won a comfortable parliamentary majority because of it.
The UK government is releasing Albanian criminals from its jails a year early and giving them £1,500 to be deported. The scheme, which fast-tracks the deportation of Albanian offenders and illegal immigrants, was negotiated with the state and depends on criminals agreeing not to appeal their deportation back to Albania. The criminals are warned that, if they return to the UK without permission, they will immediately be sent back to a British prison to serve the remaining time of their sentence. At the time of writing, there were 1,336 Albanians in prisons in England and Wales, the highest represented nationality of foreign inmates.
Parents are refusing to send their children to school in New York City to protest plans to house migrants in school gyms. Gyms have been earmarked to shelter asylum seekers as officials struggle to find housing for an influx of migrants following the lifting of former president Donald Trump’s Covid-era immigration policy. Outside of schools, concerned parents have been protesting in Coney Island and Brooklyn about such plans, with some camping overnight amid fears refugees would arrive in the early hours of the morning.
Fewer Venezuelan arrivals lead to drop in illegal entries to US after pandemic asylum limits
The Toronto Star
23-05-17 18:15
A 98% drop in Venezuelans arriving at the U.S. southern border has been cited as a key reason for a decline in migrants crossing illegally from Mexico since pandemic-related asylum limits expired in the past week. Approximately, 4,400 migrants have been stopped per day, down from between 10,000 and 12,000 in late July 2021. The Biden administration has provided new legal pathways to the U.S., including allowing up to 30,000 Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans to enter the US monthly if they apply online with a financial sponsor and arrive by plane.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has announced that a gang kidnapped a busload of around 50 migrants in Northern Mexico on November 11. Officials said the migrants were travelling north towards the US in a bus from the southern state of Chiapas when they were attacked. Some of the 50 have already been rescued, and national guard troops are searching the area around the northern Mexican city of Matehuala for those still missing. In recent months, a string of such kidnappings has been reported, as gangs seem to increasingly charge migrants for fees to cross Mexico and then abduct them for ransom. The National Institute of Migration has said that over 2,100 migrants were kidnapped in Mexico last year.
