Programs & Projects

Migration and Border Policy

Migration and Border Policy

In 2016 and 2017 the Lowy Institute conducted a significant research project to produce independent research and analysis on the challenges and opportunities raised by the movement of people and goods across Australia’s borders. An important goal of the research was to put Australia’s experiences in a broader regional and global context.

The Migration and Border Policy Project included workshops and roundtables which bring together external experts and government officials in an effort to build genuinely strategic approaches to complex migration and border issues. It also included annual Border Policy Research Fellowships in which an officer of the then Department of Immigration and Border Protection undert­ook research on migration and border policy issues at the Lowy Institute.

The Project was supported by the Australian Government’s then Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Migration and Border Policy links: The ‘El Chapo’ bill, displacement figures, Turkey’s diaspora and more
Migration and Border Policy links: The ‘El Chapo’ bill, displacement figures, Turkey’s diaspora and more
ANU's Robin Davies and Stephen Howes discuss the impact of Trump's migration policy in Asia. Writing for the Brookings Institution, Elaine Kamarck argues that Trump's border…
Migration and Border Policy links: Work visas, Manus shooting, the fate of Sumte and more
Migration and Border Policy links: Work visas, Manus shooting, the fate of Sumte and more
Australia, New Zealand and the US have announced restrictions to skilled work visas. During a week-long visit to the Middle East, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte…
Migration and Border Policy links: Skill shortages, Mosul, the UK labour market and more
Migration and Border Policy links: Skill shortages, Mosul, the UK labour market and more
The Kaldor Centre's Jane McAdam unpacks the international legal frameworks to assist people displaced by disasters and climate change. Writing for the Brookings Institution,…
Asia Pacific’s role in the Global Compacts on migration and refugees
Asia Pacific’s role in the Global Compacts on migration and refugees
The Lowy Institute recently held an expert workshop on the Global Compact on Refugees as part of its research collaboration with the Department of Immigration and Border…
Migration and Border Policy links: Who benefits from Nauru, refugee safe houses, climate displacement and more
Migration and Border Policy links: Who benefits from Nauru, refugee safe houses, climate displacement and more
The US Department of Homeland Security has begun fingerprinting and photographing refugees on Manus Island as part of the US-Australia refugee deal. Oxford University's…
Migration and border policy links: Mixing it up in Yiwu, Zampa law, sanctuary cities and more
Migration and border policy links: Mixing it up in Yiwu, Zampa law, sanctuary cities and more
By Rachael Buckland, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Migration and Border Policy project. Listen to Oxford University’s Forced Migration Review podcasts on refugee…
What happens to failed asylum seekers?
What happens to failed asylum seekers?
Forcibly returning unwanted migrants is not only intuitively unpleasant, it is also one of the most difficult areas in the immigration policies of liberal states. Unwanted…
Removal of failed asylum seekers in Australia: A comparative perspective
Reports
Removal of failed asylum seekers in Australia: A comparative perspective
This working paper reviews the current policy of removing failed asylum seekers in Australia and draws lessons from similar policy areas and reforms in the United Kingdom and…
Migration and Border Policy links: Syrian small businesses, EU-Turkey deal, education by phone and more
Migration and Border Policy links: Syrian small businesses, EU-Turkey deal, education by phone and more
By Daniel Thambar, an intern with the Lowy Institute’s Migration and Border Policy Project. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) launched a project to support 300…
Migration and border policy links: Populism and policy, IWD, migrants make for safe US cities
Migration and border policy links: Populism and policy, IWD, migrants make for safe US cities
By Rachael Buckland, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Migration and Border Policy project. Carnegie Europe’s Stefan Lehne reflects on the current wave of populism spreading…