Evolution Of Immigration Policy Research Articles

Two Centuries of International Migration

This is a draft chapter for B. R. Chiswick and P. W. Miller (eds.) Handbook on the Economics of International Migration. It provides an overview of trends and developments in international migration since the industrial revolution. We focus principally on long-distance migration to rich destination countries, the settler economies in the nineteenth century and later the OECD. The chapter describes the structure, direction and determinants of migration flows and the assimilation experience of migrants. It also examines the impact of migration on destination and source countries, and explores the political economy behind the evolution of immigration policy. We provide an historical context for current debates on immigration and immigration policy and we conclude by speculating on future trends.

Making sense of immigration policy:Argentina, 1870–1930

The aim of this article is to disentangle the different forces that shapedArgentinian immigration policy from 1870 to 1930. A new index of immigration policy is presented, showing how immigration restrictions increased over time but, in contrast with theUS,Argentina remained open to mass migration until the 1930s. The quantitative evidence presented here suggests that there were economic reasons to restrict immigration prior to the 1930s, namely rising inequality, the closing of the frontier, and the declining relative quality of immigrants. A political economy interpretation helps to understand the long‐run evolution of immigration policy. Labour interests could not be translated intoParliament in a direct way. A large share of workers did not have the right to vote simply because they were foreigners. Inequality influenced immigration policy through social unrest since those negatively affected by massive immigration developed alternative actions: general strikes, labour unrest, and violence. Contrary to what economic theory would have predicted, anti‐immigration legislation came fromArgentinian capital and landowners who feared political and social unrest.

THE CLIOMETRICS OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION: A SURVEY

Abstract This is a survey of some of the key studies in the literature on international migration in history that may be described as cliometric. This literature uses the concepts and approaches of applied economics to investigate a range of historical issues and there are strong parallels with the questions that have been addressed in the literature on contemporary migrations. Here I focus on the period 1850–1940 and chiefly on migration from Europe to the New World. The survey is organized around six themes that include the forces driving migration, over time and across space; the assimilation of migrants and their effects on wages and income distribution in source and destination countries; and the evolution of immigration policy. Although this literature has drawn heavily on the tool kit of applied economists it also provides a wider perspective on many of the issues that concern migration today.

En torno al mosaico canadiense. Una reflexión sobre la gestión política de la inmigración en Canadá

The aim of this article is to explore and analyze the main goals and the evolution of immigration policy in Canada since 1850 to nowadays. As a country of immigration the question of migration regulation and the admission of immigrants became a central issue in the national and the academic debate around the identity and the management of pluralism in Canada. Over the years, attitudes toward immigration and the development of immigration policies have evolved, reflecting economic, political, cultural and social issues in this country.

The Cliometrics of International Migration: A Survey

This is a survey of some of the key studies in the literature on international migration in history that may be described as cliometric. This literature uses the concepts and approaches of applied economics to investigate a range of historical issues and there are strong parallels with the questions that have been addressed in the literature on contemporary migrations. Here I focus on the period 1850 to 1940 and chiefly on migration from Europe to the New World. The survey is organised around six themes that include: the forces driving migration, over time and across space; the assimilation of migrants and their effects on wages and income distribution in source and destination countries; and the evolution of immigration policy. While this literature has drawn heavily on the tool kit of applied economists it also provides a wider perspective on many of the issues that concern migration today.

‘Europe 1993’ and its refugees1

Abstract The article describes the evolution of immigration policy within the European Community [EC], drawing out the implications of the Schengen Treaty and the Dublin Convention for the entry and treatment of refugees. It is argued that recent policy developments will have the effect of limiting the rights of refugees to enter the EC in order to seek asylum. The legal implications of this restriction are identified and discussed, followed by an evaluation of their impact.