Immigration News - Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Library

Why fewer Mexicans are leaving their homeland for the U.S.

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 22:17:00 +0000

Why fewer Mexicans are leaving their homeland for the U.S.

Workplace raids by immigration agents, nose-diving birthrates at home and the economic slowdown north of the border have convinced nearly half of Mexicans surveyed that life in their native country is as good or better than what would await them if they crossed into the U.S., according to findings released Thursday by the Washington-based Pew Research Center.

America's poorest border town: no immigration papers, no American Dream

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 18:31:00 +0000

America's poorest border town: no immigration papers, no American Dream

In his third dispatch from the US’s most deprived communities, Chris McGreal visits Colonia Muñiz in Texas, where the right documents can make the difference between surviving and prospering

Large Companies Game Visa System, and Jobs Leave U.S.

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:58:00 +0000

Large Companies Game Visa System, and Jobs Leave U.S.

Critics say the H-1B visa program, meant to help American firms hire foreigners with special skills, is being dominated by outsourcing companies.

Authorized Status, Limited Returns: The Labor Market Outcomes of Temporary Mexican Workers

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 22:21:00 +0000

Authorized Status, Limited Returns: The Labor Market Outcomes of Temporary Mexican Workers

If temporary foreign worker programs are to be a viable alternative to unauthorized immigration, temporary work visas must appeal to potential unauthorized immigrants and must reduce the risk of abuse that workers in these programs encounter. Currently, visa restrictions tying temporary foreign workers to a single employer undermine the economic opportunities available to these workers.

Debunking the Myth of the Job-Stealing Immigrant

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:53:00 +0000

Debunking the Myth of the Job-Stealing Immigrant

Even those of us who favor a path to citizenship are not going far enough, because we are mired in zero-sum thinking.

The Shame of America’s Family Detention Camps

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 18:43:00 +0000

The Shame of America’s Family Detention Camps

From left, Vanessa Sischo, Christina Brown and Barbara Hines in Karnes, Tex., where they have been advocating on behalf of detained immigrants.

The Obama administration’s draconian policy toward female refugees and their children has sown misery on the border — and pushed volunteer lawyers to the breaking point.

AQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP STATISTICS

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:39:00 +0000

European Commission

Eurostat

AQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP STATISTICS [18 November 2014]

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Acquisition_of_citizenship_statistics

Data from March 2014. Most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.

This article presents recent statistics on the acquisition of citizenship in the European Union (EU).

In 2012, 818 100 people obtained citizenship of an EU-28 Member State, an increase of 4.0 % compared with 2011; More people had acquired the citizenship of an EU Member State than in any other year during the period from 2002 to 2011. The main contribution to the increase at EU level came from United Kingdom (+16 300), followed by Ireland (+14 300) and Sweden (+13 500). The increase in Ireland, however, is a consequence of the efforts in the past two years to reduce the backlog of citizenship applications.

Most new citizenships in 2012 were granted by the United Kingdom (193 900 or 24 %), Germany (114 600 or 14 %), France (96 100 or 12 %), Spain (94 100 or 12 %) and Italy (65 400 or 8.0 %).

Of those acquiring citizenship of an EU-28 Member State, 87 % had previously been citizens of non-EU countries. Of these, citizens of Morocco and Turkey made up the highest numbers, followed by citizens of India, Ecuador and Iraq.

MIGRANT INTEGRATION STATISTICS--SOCIAL INCLUSION

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:39:00 +0000

European Commission

Eurostat

MIGRANT INTEGRATION STATISTICS--SOCIAL INCLUSION [21 November 2014]

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Migrant_integration_statistics_-_social_inclusion

Data from July 2014. Most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.

Migrants play an important role in the labour markets and economies of the countries they settle in. This article presents European Union statistics on the social inclusion of migrants as part of monitoring their integration and assessing their situation in the labour market. This in turn makes it easier to evaluate the outcomes of integration policies.

The indicators presented in this article are based on the Council conclusions on integration of 2010, the subsequent study ‘Indicators of immigrant integration — a pilot study’ (2011) and the report ‘Using EU indicators of immigrant integration’ (2013).

The present article elaborates on the existing Zaragoza indicators ^[1] on social inclusion together with some proposed additional ones. The indicators presented here cover the following social inclusion areas:

§ people at risk of poverty and social exclusion;

§ income distribution and monetary poverty;

§ living conditions;

§ material deprivation.

In this article, data which are presented in the tables but are affected by low reliability due to small sample size or high non-response rates, are not used in the analysis.

For the purpose of this article the following terms are being used to describe various migrants groups.

For the population by country of birth:

§ Native-born – means population born in the reporting country

§ Foreign-born – means population born outside the reporting country

§ EU-born – means population born in the EU, except the reporting country

§ Non-EU-born – means population born outside the EU

For the population by citizenship:

§ Nationals – means citizens of the reporting country

§ Foreign citizens – means non-citizens of the reporting country

§ EU citizens – means citizens of the EU countries, except the reporting country

§ Non-EU citizens – means citizens of non-EU countries

STATISTICS ON ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:38:00 +0000

European Commission

Eurostat

STATISTICS ON ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION [16 December 2014]

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Statistics_on_enforcement_of_immigration_legislation

Data from September 2014. Most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.

This article presents the European Union (EU) indicators on the enforcement of immigration legislation (EIL). It provides statistics on non-EU citizens refused entry at external borders,^[1] apprehended as being illegally present or subject to an obligation to leave the territory of an EU Member State. The indicators in this article can be regarded as an official record of persons subject to enforcement of immigration legislation, providing a general overview of the outcomes of territorial surveillance and control procedures.

According to the available data, irregular migration to the EU decreased significantly between 2008 and 2011, then stabilised over the last three years. The situation for individual EU Member States however varies in trend and level due to specific national factors such as national wealth, history and culture, geographical position, type and length of borders, border infrastructure, border control, judicial procedures, national policy and the legal framework related to irregular migration.

AIMING HIGHER: POLICIES TO GET IMMIGRANTS INTO MIDDLE-SKILLED WORK IN EUROPE

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:37:00 +0000

International Labour Organization (ILO) & Migration Policy Institute (MPI)

AIMING HIGHER: POLICIES TO GET IMMIGRANTS INTO MIDDLE-SKILLED WORK IN EUROPE [18 November 2014]

http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/media-centre/press-releases/WCMS_320425/lang--en/index.htm

http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---migrant/documents/publication/wcms_320425.pdf

[full-text, 39 pages]

Press Release 18 November 2014

Many immigrants in Europe struggling to move out of low-skilled jobs; European governments have opportunities to prioritize policies to secure upward mobility

http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/media-centre/press-releases/WCMS_319812/lang--en/index.htm?shared_from=media-mail

WASHINGTON and GENEVA — Against a backdrop of aging populations and persistently low economic growth, few European governments are doing enough to help recent immigrants move from low-skilled precarious jobs and into decent work, says a new report by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and International Labour Organization (ILO).

The report, Aiming Higher: Policies to Get Immigrants into Middle-Skilled Work in Europe, shows that while some countries have made sizeable investments in labour market integration policies over the past decade, they have focused primarily on getting immigrants into work. As a result, these policies have struggled to facilitate career progression over time.

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION OUTLOOK 2014 [1 December 2014]

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:36:00 +0000

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION OUTLOOK 2014 [1 December 2014]

http://www.oecd.org/migration/international-migration-outlook-1999124x.htm

http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/social-issues-migration-health/international-migration-outlook-2014_migr_outlook-2014-en#page1

[read online, 430 pages]

http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/international-migration-outlook-2014_migr_outlook-2014-en

This flagship publication on migration analyses recent developments in migration movements and policies in OECD countries and selected non-OECD countries. This edition also contains two special chapters on "The labour market integration of immigrants and their children: developing, activating and using skills" and "Managing labour migration: Smart policies to support economic growth". It also includes Country notes and a Statistical Annex. This special edition is launched at the occasion of the High-level Policy Forum on Migration (Paris, 1-2 December 2014).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Editorial: Migration policy in a time of uncertainty

Executive summary

Recent developments in international migration trends

Labour market integration of immigrants and their children: Developing, activating and using skills

Managing labour migration: Smart policies to support economic growth

Statistical annex

List of OECD Secretariat members involved in the preparation of this publication

IMMIGRANT ACCESS TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: FINAL REPORT

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:36:00 +0000

Urban Institute (UI)

IMMIGRANT ACCESS TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: FINAL REPORT [12 November 2014]

by Julia Gelatt, Heather Koball

http://www.urban.org/publications/2000012.html

http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/2000012-Immigrant-Access-to-Health-and-Human-Services.pdf

[full-text, 31 pages]

The Immigrant Access to Health and Human Services project describes the legal and policy contexts that affect immigrant access to health and human services. The study aims to identify and describe federal, state, and local program eligibility provisions related to immigrants, major barriers to immigrants’ access to health and human services for which they are legally eligible, and innovative or promising practices that can help states manage their programs. This final report summarizes findings from the seven research briefs and one report that constitute this project.

A GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL MOBILITY: THE ROLE OF NON-OECD DESTINATIONS

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:35:00 +0000

World Bank

Policy Research Working Paper 6863

A GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL MOBILITY: THE ROLE OF NON-OECD DESTINATIONS [May 2014]

by Erhan Artuç, Frédéric Docquier, Çağlar Özden, Christopher Parsons

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/05/12/000158349_20140512160809/Rendered/PDF/WPS6863.pdf

[full-text, 63 pages]

Abstract

Discussions of high-skilled mobility typically evoke migration patterns from poorer to wealthier countries, which ignore movements to and between developing countries. This paper presents, for the first time, a global overview of human capital mobility through bilateral migration stocks by gender and education in 1990 and 2000, and calculation of nuanced brain drain indicators.

Building on newly collated data, the paper uses a novel estimation procedure based on a pseudo-gravity model, then identifies key determinants of international migration, and subsequently uses estimated parameters to impute missing data. Non-OECD destinations account for one-third of skilled-migration, while OECD destinations are declining in relative importance.

Bodies at the border: 'Many Mexicans have no option. This flow will not cease'

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:45:00 +0000

Bodies at the border: 'Many Mexicans have no option. This flow will not cease'
In Arizona, on the front line of the US's border with Mexico, we hear from the families split up

U.S. Family-Based Immigration Policy

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:16:00 +0000

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

U.S. Family-Based Immigration Policy

William A. Kandel, Analyst in Immigration Policy

November 19, 2014

http://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R43145.pdf

[full-text, 41 pages]

Summary

Family reunification is a key principle underlying U.S. immigration policy. It is embodied in the

Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which specifies numerical limits for five family-based

admission categories, as well as a per-country limit on total family-based admissions. The five

categories include immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and four other family-based categories that

vary according to individual characteristics such as the legal status of the petitioning U.S.-based

relative, and the age, family relationship, and marital status of the prospective immigrant.

Of the 990,553 foreign nationals admitted to the United States in FY2013 as lawful permanent

residents (LPRs), 649,763, or 66%, were admitted on the basis of family ties. Of these familybased

immigrants admitted in FY2013, 68% were admitted as immediate relatives of U.S.

citizens. Many of the 990,553 immigrants were initially admitted on a temporary basis and

became immigrants by converting or “adjusting” their status to a lawful permanent resident. The

proportion of family-based immigrants who adjusted their immigration status while residing in

the United States (54%) exceeded that of family-based immigrants who had their immigration

petitions processed while living abroad (46%), although such percentages varied considerably

among the five family-based admission categories.

Since FY2000, increasing numbers of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens have accounted for all

of the growth in family-based admissions. Between FY2000 and FY2009, immigrants who

accompanied or later followed principal (qualifying) immigrants averaged 12% of all familybased

admissions annually. During that period, Mexico, the Philippines, China, India, and the

Dominican Republic sent the most family-based immigrants to the United States.

Each year, the number of foreign nationals petitioning for LPR status through family-sponsored

preferences exceeds the supply of legal immigrant slots. As a result, a visa queue has accumulated

of foreign nationals who qualify as immigrants under the INA but who must wait for a visa to

immigrate to the United States. As such, the visa queue constitutes not a backlog of petitions to be

processed but, rather, the number of persons approved for visas not yet available due to INAspecified

numerical limits. As of November 1, 2013, the visa queue included 4.2 million persons.

Every month, the Department of State (DOS) produces its Visa Bulletin, which lists “cut-off

dates” for each of the four numerically limited family-based admissions categories. Cut-off dates

indicate when petitions that are currently being processed for a numerically limited visa were

initially approved. For most countries, cut-off dates range between 1.5 years and 12.5 years ago.

For countries that send the most immigrants, the range expands to between 2 and 23 years ago.

Interest in immigration reform has increased scrutiny of family-based immigration and revived

debate over its proportion of total lawful permanent admissions. Past or current proposals for

overhauling family-based admissions have been made by numerous observers, including two

congressionally mandated commissions.

Those who favor expanding the number of family-based admissions point to this sizable queue of

prospective immigrants who have been approved for lawful permanent residence but must wait

years separated from their U.S.-based family members until receiving a numerically limited

immigrant visa. Their proposals generally emphasize expanding the numerical limits of familybased

categories. Others question whether the United States has an obligation to reconstitute

families of immigrants beyond their nuclear families. Corresponding proposals would eliminate

several family-based preference categories, favoring only those for the immediate relatives of

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Such proposals reiterate recommendations made by

earlier congressionally mandated commissions on immigration reform.

Permanent Legal Immigration to the United States: Policy Overview

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:15:00 +0000

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

Permanent Legal Immigration to the United States: Policy Overview

William A. Kandel, Analyst in Immigration Policy

October 29, 2014

http://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R42866.pdf

[full-text, 16 pages]

The Obama Administration’s Announced, Immigration Initiative: A Primer

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:15:00 +0000

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

Legal Sidebar

The Obama Administration’s Announced, Immigration Initiative: A Primer

11/24/2014

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/immprimer.pdf

[full-text, 3 pages--with extensive links]

On November 20, President Obama announced the commencement of a multi-pronged immigration

initiative that could, among other things, enable a substantial portion of the unlawfully present alien

population to obtain temporary relief from removal and work authorization. The new initiative also involves

other actions, including narrowing the scope of aliens prioritized by federal immigration authorities for

removal; using “parole” authority to allow certain aliens to enter or remain in the United States; and

modifying rules relating to visa eligibility (or processing). This Sidebar provides a brief overview of the

major components of the announced initiative. A CRS Report providing more extensive analysis is in

preparation.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Executive Discretion as to Immigration: Legal Overview

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:44:00 +0000

Congressional Research Service (CRS)

Executive Discretion as to Immigration: Legal Overview

Kate M. Manuel, Legislative Attorney

Michael John Garcia, Legislative Attorney

November 10, 2014

http://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R43782.pdf

[full-text, 27 pages]

Summary

President Obama announced in June 2014 that he would seek “to fix as much of our immigration

system as I can on my own” through administrative action. Although the Obama Administration

has not yet announced the specific immigration actions it intends to take, the President has stated

that they will occur before the end of the year. It seems likely that such actions will prompt heated

legal debate concerning the scope of the Executive’s discretionary authority over immigration

matters, including with respect to the enforcement of immigration-related sanctions and the

granting of immigration benefits or privileges. Such debate may be similar to that which followed

the 2012 launch of the executive initiative commonly known as Deferred Action for Childhood

Arrivals (DACA), under which certain unlawfully present aliens who were brought to the United

States as children may be granted “deferred action” (a type of relief from removal) and work

authorization. While some have argued that DACA constitutes an abdication of the Executive’s

duty to enforce the laws and runs afoul of specific requirements found in the Immigration and

Nationality Act (INA), others have argued that the initiative is a lawful exercise of the

discretionary authority conferred on the Executive by the Constitution and federal statute.

Executive discretion over immigration matters is informed (and, in some instances,

circumscribed) by statutory delegations of authority and constitutional considerations. In some

cases, a particular immigration policy or initiative might be premised on multiple sources of

discretionary authority. These sources include the following:

• Express delegations of discretionary authority by statute. In some instances, the

INA grants the Executive broad discretion to provide certain forms of relief or

benefits (e.g., work authorization or temporary protected status) to foreign

nationals. In other instances, the INA permits immigration authorities to waive the

application of requirements which would otherwise render an alien ineligible for

particular immigration benefits. The INA also gives the Executive broad “parole”

authority, under which immigration officials may sometimes permit aliens to

physically enter or remain in the country without such entry or presence

constituting “admission” for immigration purposes. Any exercises of such

statutory authority must be consistent with the terms of the delegation (although

the executive branch might have some discretion in interpreting the statute, as

discussed below).

• Prosecutorial or enforcement discretion deriving from the Executive’s

independent constitutional authority. The Executive is generally recognized as

possessing some degree of independent authority in assessing whether to

prosecute apparent violations of federal law. However, specific statutory mandates

could be seen as limiting the Executive’s discretion to take particular actions (e.g.,

by requiring that certain aliens be detained pending removal proceedings). The

express adoption of a policy that constitutes an abdication of a statutory duty

could also be found to be impermissible, but it might be difficult for a court to

assess the degree of nonenforcement that would entail an “abdication.”

• Discretion in interpreting and applying immigration law. The Supreme Court

has found that some deference may be owed to agency regulations (or

adjudications) which construe statutes that are “silent or ambiguous” as to specific

issues. The executive branch may also be afforded deference in less formal

interpretations of statutes and in interpreting its own regulations. However,

agency interpretations must conform to the “unambiguously expressed intent of

Congress.”

Immigrants illegally in California comprise nearly 10% of workforce

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:25:00 +0000

Immigrants illegally in California comprise nearly 10% of workforce

A USC study looks at ways the estimated 2.6-million immigrants living in California without permission participate in state life.

Top 5 Reasons Why Administrative Action on Immigration Would Benefit American Workers

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 18:27:00 +0000

Top 5 Reasons Why Administrative Action on Immigration Would Benefit American Workers
Administrative action that temporarily protects undocumented immigrants from deportation would benefit all American workers.

With Child Migrants Set to Become Students, Educators Must Prepare

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:30:00 +0000

With Child Migrants Set to Become Students, Educators Must Prepare

Between 70,000 and 90,000 unaccompanied children are expected to cross the U.S.-Mexico border by year's end. Lost in an intensifying debate over U.S. immigration policy is...

Immigrants Sending Money Back Home Face Fewer Options ...

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:58:00 +0000

Immigrants Sending Money Back Home Face Fewer Options
The giant remittances economy — which consists of folks, mainly immigrants, sending money across borders — has been expanding for years.

New Report Highlights Dangerous Working Conditions, Low Wages for Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 21:06:00 +0000

New Report Highlights Dangerous Working Conditions, Low Wages for Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S. Illegal immigrants don't hold the most dangerous jobs in America. ... Yet there is plenty of hazard, risk and occupational injury for the uncounted ... Cost of Being Illegal in the United States: Legal Status, Job Hazards and ... in

Critical Choices in Post-Recession California: Investing in the Educational and Career Success of Immigrant Youth

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 17:18:00 +0000

Critical Choices in Post-Recession California: Investing in the Educational and Career Success of Immigrant Youth
This report examines the educational experiences and outcomes of first- and second-generation immigrant youth ages 16 to 26 across California’s educational institutions, encompassing secondary schools, adult education, and postsecondary education.

Moving Up or Standing Still? Access to Middle-Skilled Work for Newly Arrived Migrants in the European Union

noreply@blogger.com (IRLE's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 17:16:00 +0000

Moving Up or Standing Still? Access to Middle-Skilled Work for Newly Arrived Migrants in the European Union

The global economic crisis and changing migration patterns in Europe bring up questions about how well immigrants are able to find employment and progress into better jobs over time. This overview report caps a series of six country case studies evaluating the employment outcomes for foreign-born workers during their first decade in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.