The Current State Of Immigration

The recent protests in the United States as well as the 2005 riots in France demonstrate the urgent need to address the issue of immigration. Globalization has created widespread immigration. The UN Population Division estimates that there are almost 200 million international immigrants. The plight of the modern day immigrant hasn't improved much especially in the age of the war on terrorism.

Immigrants have little protection and access to basic human rights. They have trouble accessing health care, housing, and education. Immigrants are often viewed as second class citizens and are targets of unfair policies and discrimination by local citizens. Much of this racism and xenophobia stems from cultural differences, but fear of terrorism and global disease have only increased it. Politicians in the United States and the European Union have framed debate on immigration policy in terms of domestic security. As a result, many host nations have ineffective and abusive policies which offer limited legal resources and asylum. Nations have intensified the security on their borders. Members of the United States Congress are pushing for legislation to create a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The European Union has been conducting stop and search operations as well as implementing an integrated data system between borders. The tightening and even absence of legal routes for immigration has led to an increase in human trafficking and smuggling networks.

Many hostile policies and attitudes towards immigration are due to a perception of economic threat. However, the International Organization for Migration found that concerns over immigration such as loss of jobs, lower wages, and increased welfare costs were exaggerated and unfounded. Instead, the IOM found that immigration brings both costs and benefits both for the sending and receiving countries, although these benefits are not shared equally. One benefit of immigration was found in remittances which is the money made in the host country that is sent back to the home country. The financial contribution from immigrants to their home country is larger than all forms of foreign aid combined. The World Bank stated in the Global Economic Prospects 2006 report that recorded remittances worldwide have totaled 232 billion dollars. Remittances are beneficial because they stimulate development and bring investments. Immigration also meets demographic deficit and labor shortages in the host countries and creates a global exchange of technology.

Despite the limited benefits derived from immigration there is still a need for international immigration reform. The International Labor Organization, the IOM, and the United Nations recommend that international immigration policy be created around basic human rights. The UN goes further, arguing for the creation of a body devoted to immigrants. In Sept. 2005 the UN Commission on International Migration issued a report recommending the creation of an Inter-Agency Global Migration Facility to oversee and normalize the handling of immigrants or migrants. This Inter-Agency would work to emphasize the impact of immigrant workers on the global economy, emphasize the responsibility of state and civil society to treat immigrant workers humanely, create equitable laws, and create cooperation between nations. Discussion over reform policies with an emphasis on human rights needs to take place on an international level before further rioting and cultural conflicts break out.