Migration and border policy links: US border troops, American journeys, and more
A section of border fence is seen on the Mexican side of the US–Mexico border. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty)
- A new paper published by the Center for Migration Studies examines how Italy is responding to the protection needs of unaccompanied minors arriving in the country. The paper provides a statistical overview of the issue, the reasons for minors leaving their countries of origin, how they transit, relevant Italian policies, and a psychosocial analysis of unaccompanied minor migration.
- The International Monetary Fund’s April 2018 World Economic Outlook examines the acceleration in population ageing in advanced economies and recommends a rethink of migration policies as an avenue for boosting labour supply.
- At the Kaldor Centre, Claire Higgins discusses the deployment of the US National Guard to the US–Mexico border ahead of the arrival of a migrant “caravan” from Honduras and other Central American countries. Higgins argues that the large number of refugees does not represent an immigration control issue, as President Trump has claimed, but rather the need to expand safe and orderly policies for refugee admission into the US.
- Following Peter Dutton’s remarks this week that it may be time for Australia and “like-minded” countries to reconsider the relevance of the refugee convention, it is worth revisiting this Ethics Centre debate on the topic from mid-2017:
- In the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan, a dedicated taekwondo learning facility is helping to bring joy and hope to children in the camp.
- A new working paper published the Lowy Institute looks at international practices for the establishment of undocumented asylum seekers’ identities.
- Australia’s new Community Support Program allows individuals, groups, and businesses to sponsor and support refugees to come to Australia. However, it was reported last week that the scheme will exclude refugees from South Sudan, Somalia, and Iran.
- In a very interesting project at Overseas Development Institute, Katy Long is journeying across America gathering personal and political stories of migration. The journey can be followed on the ODI website, on Twitter, and on Instagram (examples below).