Changes In Migration Policies Research Articles

Changes in Greek Attitudes and Policies Towards Refugee Reception Between 2020 and 2024

The study examines changes in policies and attitudes related to refugee reception and survival migration in Greece between 2020 and 2024. We analysed the changes in migration policy in Greece during the 2020-2021 pandemic, the situation in refugee camps and the government’s response measures. Putting the information together, we can see that Greece has been handling refugees and migrants in accordance with international and EU standards. Greece is constantly improving conditions in refugee camps and improving life security. By understanding the situation of Greece’s reception of refugees from war-torn countries in the Middle East from 2023 to 2024, we can also understand that Greece has linked its policy on refugee immigration with its national conditions, striving for mutual benefit, and providing assistance to displaced refugees as much as possible. The study sorted out and analysed the refugee migration policies and government measures in Greece from 2019 to 2024, and more directly compared the changes in Greek policies and laws under different challenges. At the same time, we also analyse the impact of these changes from a sociological perspective.

To stay or to migrate? When Becker meets Harris-Todaro

Allowing migration as an integral part of demographic transition and economic development, we construct a dynamic competitive migration equilibrium framework with rural agents heterogeneous in skills and fertility preferences to establish a location-fertility trade-off and explore its macroeconomic consequences. We characterize a mixed migration equilibrium where an endogenously determined fraction of high-skilled agents with high fertility preferences or low-skilled agents with low fertility preferences ultimately moves. By calibrating the model to fit the data from China, whose migration and population control policies offer a rich array of issues for quantitative investigation, we find strong interactions between migration and fertility decisions – the location-fertility trade-off – and rich interplay between the joint responses of these choices to changes in migration and population control policies. Our results indicate that both output per capita and urbanization rates are more responsive than Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to migration and population policies: A one-percent decrease in TFR corresponds to an over one-percent increase in output per capita and a more than two-percent rise in urbanization rates. Overlooking the location-fertility trade-off may thus lead to nonnegligible biases in assessing the implications and effectiveness of government policies.

Analysis of the mutability of the legal framework for migration policy in Russia (1990-2023) in the context of the effectiveness of migration governance

The article analyzes the dynamics of changes in the institutional and legal framework of Russian migration policy from 1990 to 2023. Based on legal statistics, the authors investigate the frequency of amendments to key laws in the field of migration regulation in the Russian Federation. By comparing the series of events in political, legal, and institutional changes to migration governance, the authors identify external factors that influence the changes in legislation. Through comparative legal methods and an analysis of relevant literature, we discuss issues related to the differences between adaptive governance and agile management, as well as the impact of rapidly changing laws on the stability of the legal system. The analysis of the data revealed a high frequency of changes to migration laws, with an average of up to 5-6 amendments per year, and in some cases, up to 15-17 amendments per year. Acts of federal and regional authorities are also frequently amended. During the pandemic, a decision of the Moscow government was in effect for a little over a week. There is a significant excess in the number of secondary legal acts compared to the number of primary ones. The constant amendment of migration regulations reflects the state's response to diverse and sometimes unforeseen challenges in modern society, and demonstrates the adaptive nature of Russia's migration policy. This increase in adaptability raises questions about where the line is between improving the efficiency of legal regulations and their instability. Additionally, a special multidisciplinary approach is required to assess how changes in migration policies affect socio-economic development. The relevance of this study is linked to the fact that improving the efficiency of migration governance is a challenging task. Migration is both a source of economic development and potential risk to socio-political stability.

Mental Health Implications of Family Separation Associated with Migration Policies in the United States: A Systematic Review

The practice of family separation as a mechanism of oppression has a deep-rooted history in the U.S., manifesting in diverse contexts, including punitive migration policies. This systematic review aimed to provide a rigorous and updated synthesis of the research on family separation as a result of migration policies and its impacts on immigrants’ mental health while making a distinction between forced family separation, family separation by constrained choices, and living with the fear of family separation. We systematically searched four bibliographic databases using keywords related to family separation, migration, transnational families, and mental health for peer-reviewed studies published in English on or before January 1st, 2022. Results of the review indicate that family separation or fear of it may result in depression, anxiety, behavioral and emotional issues, sleep disturbances, and stress or distress in affected children. Similarly, impacted parents or caregivers might experience stress or distress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Findings call for migration policy changes prioritizing family unity and comprehensive mental health interventions to respond to the pervasive consequences of family separation or fear thereof among immigrants in the U.S.

A virtuous cycle? Migrant integration policies, attitudes toward immigration, and populist radical right voting in Europe

Are citizens less likely to support populist radical right parties (PRRPs) in countries with more inclusive migrant integration policies? Studies show that integration policies foster positive attitudes toward migrants, which, in turn, are associated with a lower likelihood of supporting PRRPs. However, the impact of integration policies on PRRP voting has not been assessed yet on a cross-country level—neither direct nor dependent on (anti)immigration attitudes. Using data from the European Social Survey 2016 and the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) from 2011 and 2015 for 15 EU member states, we show that more inclusive integration policies are associated with a lower likelihood to support PRRPs. We also find a moderating effect of these policies on the impact of attitudes toward migrants on PRRP voting. However, the effect of migration policy change seems to be more context dependent.

ЗМІНИ МІГРАЦІЙНОГО ЗАКОНОДАВСТВА ЗА ПРЕМ’ЄРСТВА ТОНІ БЛЕРА (2005–2006)

This article examines the aftermath of the terrorist attacks carried out by naturalized British citizens on July 7, 2005, in London. It explores the broader context of the attack, including its impact on public opinion and the political climate of the country. The article analyzes Tony Blair’s public statements following the event, identifies the key points of his response to the terrorist attack, and evaluates the political decisions made in accordance with this response. It also investigates the factors that influenced changes in migration legislation and their consequences for British society. In order to better understand the context of changes in migration legislation under the influence of the July 7, 2005, terrorist attacks in London, the author examined the previous changes implemented by the Labour government in this area. The author aimed to identify the key challenges faced by the British authorities in the context of migration policy after the terrorist attacks, as well as to determine possible strategies for responding to these challenges. Various aspects of changes in migration policy legislation and practice, such as border controls, naturalization procedures, refugee resettlement programs, and other aspects that affected the lives of migrants and the overall political atmosphere in the country, were analyzed. The article aims at a deeper understanding of the relationship between terrorist events, political reactions to them and changes in migration policy, which is key to understanding the events of that time and their consequences today. Since the beginning of the XXI century, there have been ongoing scientific discussions about the relationship between terrorism and migration processes. At the start of the new century, numerous countries faced the real threat of terrorism, each responding differently with its own set of consequences. The article analyzes Tony Blair’s reaction, contrasting it with that of his foreign counterparts. Blair managed to respond by gradually expanding the scope of issues and accents while maintaining his position as head of state. He prepared society for changes in migration and anti-terrorist legislation, which were already in progress before the tragic events of July 7, 2005. These laws were subsequently revised and gained even greater relevance, sparking lively discussions both in society and within the government.

Imigracja ukraińska do Polski

The aim of the article is to analyse the immigration of Ukrainians to Poland against the background of changing migration policy. It contains the thesis that changes in Polish migration policy are a consequence of demographic problems as well as those related to the needs of the labour market. Numerous legal regulations facilitating Ukrainian immigrants’ settlement and work in Poland have been introduced since 2015. Poland’s openness to visitors from Ukraine after the outbreak of the war on its territory was confirmed in the Act of 12 March 2022 on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of that country. Currently, there are approximately 3.2 million Ukrainians in Poland, including 2.2 million in the areas of the Union of Metropolises of Polish Cities.

A corda bamba do trânsito e da contenção: uma análise comparativa da migração internacional para Chiapas e as Ilhas Canárias (1991-2021)

Abstract This comparative scoping review presents two cases widely considered as spaces of transit: the state of Chiapas, Mexico, and the Canary Islands archipelago, Spain. Following sampling and screening, 92 records from academic literature were included in this review. We found that this body of mostly descriptive research has largely focused on changes in migration policy, migrant routes, and border enforcement. In this, we have found a striking comparability between both cases, where increased containment, securitization, and criminalization of migration at the macro-level - and specifically in the United States and European Union - has trickled down within these micro-level spaces, putting into question the ‘transit character’ of these geographies.

Categorical and spatial interlinkages within the European migration policy mix

This article analyses the categorical and spatial linkages within migration policy areas across 31 European countries from 1990 to 2020, examining over 5000 migration policy changes. It reveals distinct patterns of policy diffusion across space and contrasting trends between different migration policy areas. While migrant admission policies have experienced a trend towards liberalisation over the past three decades, border and return policies have become more restrictive. The research identifies spatial policy dependencies primarily in border enforcement, with some presence in admission, integration, and return policies. The findings underscore the structured nature of the European migration policy mix and contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities and interdependencies within migration governance.

Landscape of multiculturalism in Australia: Tracking ethnic diversity and its relation with neighbourhood features in 2001–2021

Embracing multiculturalism has become an important initiative for enhancing cultural identity, social cohesion, and harmony in many migrant-receiving countries. While a large body of literature has examined ethnic diversity in relation to migration, less attention has been given to tracking changes in ethnic diversity over time and from a spatial perspective. Our study aims to contribute to this gap by examining nationwide ethnic diversity in Australia from 2001 to 2021 at various spatial scales and exploring its relationship with the neighbourhood features of ethnic settlement to provide practical implications for urban planning and design. To measure ethnic diversity, we draw on the five census datasets from 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021 and apply Shannon's diversity index to the smallest census unit, as well as to the levels of capital cities, rural areas, and states. We then employ a machine learning method to model the relationship between ethnic diversity and neighbourhood features of migrants' settlement, including demographic and socioeconomic features and housing characteristics, and to reveal changes in this relationship over time. Our key findings suggest that the level of ethnic diversity dropped during 2006–2011, possibly due to changes in migration policy in Australia, and dropped again during 2016–2021, possibly due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Neighbourhoods with high ethnic diversity are associated with populations that speak English fluently and hold high education degrees, as well as easy access to public transit and affordable housing. Our study provides practical suggestions and implications for migration and settlement policy-making and promoting better social cohesion through urban planning, neighbourhood design, and housing regulation.

Migration Situation in the Kyrgyz Republic After COVID-19

This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migration processes and the situation in Kyrgyzstan. The authors analyze changes in migration policy, the flow of migrants and the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. The article notes that COVID-19 caused a significant drop in migration flows both in Kyrgyzstan and internationally. The main reasons for the decline in migration were the closure of borders, the ban on movement and restrictions on movement. The social consequences of the pandemic for migrants and the local population are analyzed. Migrants, often working in the informal sector and without social security, have faced significant challenges amid the pandemic. Some migrants have lost their jobs, while others have found themselves in difficult living conditions and without access to health care. Particular attention is paid to the issue, after COVID-19, adopted the “Concept of the Migration Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic” for 2021-2030. The concept includes measures on the importance of more efficient management of migration processes in Kyrgyzstan in order to optimize their socio-economic consequences. In conclusion, the authors emphasize the need to develop and implement adequate measures to support migrants and ensure their social and economic security after the pandemic. The importance of continuing to work on improving migration policy and creating a favorable environment for the return and completion of migration processes after the restrictions are lifted is also noted.

SARS-CoV-2 in low-income countries: the need for sustained genomic surveillance

SARS-CoV-2 in low-income countries: the need for sustained genomic surveillance

Actors, Ideas, and International Influence: Understanding Migration Policy Change in South America

This article analyzes the role of ideas, domestic actors, and international influences in migration policy change (MPCh) in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Building on 67 in-depth interviews with key actors in migration governance, public declarations of government representatives, and relevant legislation, we argue that the increased power of “securitist” actors within national bureaucracies shaped MPCh in all three countries. Between 2015 and 2019, these actors promoted a set of programmatic ideas and policy proposals that linked migration to security issues and distinguished between “good” and “bad” immigrants, emulating Global North countries. This set of ideas resulted in policy change at the country level, but at the same time, national-level policy change coexisted with continuity at the regional level. This article contributes to the literature on migration governance, first, by extending the geographical focus of migration policy studies, which frequently focus on party politics, coalitions, and public opinion, beyond the Global North. Second, we further current explanations of MPCh and policy contradictions by differentiating between continuity and change in programmatic ideas, policy proposals, and public philosophies. Third, we advance the regional migration policy literature by distinguishing between different groups of actors within national bureaucracies and enhancing understanding of these actors’ roles at both the national and international levels. Across its sections, this article shows that policy ideas—where and from whom they come—matter. By unpacking the different types of ideas that influence policy shifts and the actors who promote them, we can better understand apparent contradictions in migration policy.

Demographic shifts in Japan as a factor in the transformation of migration policy

The article is devoted to study of the demographic shifts in Japan in the context of their impact on the transformation of migration and foreign educational policy. Some of them were permanent, others arose periodically and were caused by rapid socio-demographic and economic shifts in the Japanese society. The article analyzes the development of the demographic crisis in Japan at the beginning of the 21st century. This period is characterized by ongoing depopulation of the Japanese population, its active aging and unfavorable changes in the labor market caused by the spread of IT technologies and robotization of production. The article analyzes the worsening unfavorable demographic trends, which resulted in a shortage of labor, a decrease in the economic potential of the country, and an increase in the demographic burden on the working population. There have been studied the impact on the demographic processes in Japan of the factor of educational immigration, which is considered as one of the most appropriate resources for compensating for possible demographic losses in the population in the future. Legislative innovations and legal support of external immigration, as well as their practical implementation, have been studied. The results of the activities of the higher school of Japan in teaching foreign citizens and smoothing out the negative dynamics of the demographic situation in the country are presented. Of interest for further research is an in-depth study of the causes and identification of the consequences of the demographic crisis, as well as a substantive analysis of the economic and social effectiveness of changes in Japan's migration policy.

ПОЛІТИКА ЧЕСЬКОЇ РЕСПУБЛІКИ ЩОДО БІЖЕНЦІВ РОСІЙСЬКО- УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ВІЙНИ: ГОЛОВНІ ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ ТА НОВІ ВИКЛИКИ

Based on a wide range of sources, the article analyzes the Czech Republic’s policy towards Ukrainian forced migrants in the context of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, its features, key factors and dynamics of development. It is emphasized that during the war, this Central European country proved to be one of Ukraine’s best allies, consistently demonstrating comprehensive support in the international arena, in the political, military and humanitarian spheres. It has accepted a large number of war refugees, offered them financial assistance, housing, jobs, medical insurance, the opportunity to continue their children’s education, and successfully coped with the largest wave of refugees in its history, becoming the third country by the number of migrants accepted. The article examines changes in migration policy in light of new challenges, its political and social context, positive and negative effects, and the essence of the draft law Lex Ukrajina I-V (five versions), which regulates the mechanism of temporary protection and the refugee support system. The author emphasizes the important role of public associations and Ukrainian-language media, which were established in the Czech Republic and significantly facilitate the stay of Ukrainians in a foreign country, assist in initial orientation and adaptation. It covers the legal status, integration potential and problems Ukrainian migrants face in everyday life, as well as the prospects of their return to their homeland. The author emphasizes the increasingly important role of Ukrainians in the development of the Czech economy and society. Based on the analysis of research conducted by Czech scholars, the article examines the attitude of Czech citizens to the development of the situation in Ukraine, the actions of the authorities regarding the Ukrainian issue and anti-Russian sanctions. The author notes a fairly high level of public solidarity but at the same time a gradual decline in its readiness to support Ukraine against the background of a permanent decline in sympathy for Russians and antipathy for Ukrainians.

Life and health of labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

The study contains data analysis on living conditions, information about COVID-19, housing conditions, health status and practice of testing labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Russia for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in the context of the pandemic by gender and country of citizenship. The empirical basis of estimates was made up of data from the 2020 survey of 900 labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan living in Russia. The data analysis showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened situation of the majority families of labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Russia with wage reduction and psychological stress becoming the most significant difficulties (especially for female labor migrants). The Internet and online social networks were the main sources of information about COVID-19. Less than half of legally employed labor migrants from Kyrgyzstan used Compulsory health insurance (CHI) certificate, and they were less likely to undergo fluorographic examinations and HIV testing compared to labor migrants from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (especially men). Most of the labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia did not pay enough attention to prevention and health maintenance and even deteriorated their health overextending themselves in Russia, as in the pre-COVID-19 period. Health problems either have developed or worsened, including due to unfavorable housing conditions. The study shows the need for improving access to and quality of medical services for labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia and modernizing mechanisms for informing migrants, including through digital environment and social networks. Monitoring of future changes in migration policy with due regard to new experience in migration management during the pandemic seems promising.

The main changes in the European Union migration policy regarding the integration of migrants. a view from the Republic of Moldova

In recent years, the European Union has been deeply concerned about finding ways to improve the effectiveness of migration policy. The main task facing the EU is to bring migration policy to a new level, able to respond in a timely manner to both existing problems and threats, as well as new aggravating modern challenges in this area. At the same time, the traditional approach remains strengthening the protection of the EU’s external borders, developing optimal solutions for migration and asylum policy, as well as for the integration of migrants. This article refers to the integration of labor migrants in the countries of the European Union. The integration process of Moldovan immigrants in the EU is considered in the context of eight main groups of parameters, such as labor market mobility, family reunification, access to education, access to the health system, political participation, permanent residence, access to citizenship, combating discrimination. At the same time, international regulatory and legal documents developed in this field, statistical data, sociological research materials are widely used.

Detecting anticipatory design strategies: the case of asylum policy in Italy

ABSTRACT For decades, the academic literature on migration policy change suggested that migration policies in Western Europe had become overall more liberal. Yet, in an age of strong polarization, highly institutionalized policy regimes are likely to change. Adopting the theoretical lens of policy feedback literature, this paper argues that a better grasp of policy dynamics in the field of migration requires a more nuanced definition of the policy. Namely, we contend that the stability of liberal arrangements constitutes only an apparent paradox. Indeed, disentangling paradigms and instruments may enable different patterns of change and stability to emerge, as well as the role of agency. We build this argument using Italian reception policy as the case for a theory-building study on the drivers of change and stability of asylum policy regimes. Our study also suggests the benefits of applying a micro-level analysis to uncover agent-based mechanisms of policy entrenchment.

The problematic decentring of migration policy studies

ABSTRACT A call for epistemic decentring as a strategy to overcome Western/Eurocentrism has been growing in many fields of social sciences. Migration policy studies have been late in joining this trend that, however, is particularly needed to catch up with the operational decentring that migration policies themselves have undergone in the last years. The concept of externalization, while still pertinent, is insufficient to make sense of the rapid expansion of migration-related policies (and associated politics) in non-Western polities. Even in Mediterranean and African countries, where the impact of externalization is undeniably heavy, there is a risk of distortion in explaining all migration policy change through external (European) pressures and conditionalities. Such methodological exogenism is itself paradoxically Eurocentric, however critical in its tone and intentions. The essays in this special issue give us important empirical and analytical tools to correct such fallacy and to bring the decentring agenda to life. This is an important pioneer move in what will necessarily be a long-term endeavour fraught with structural difficulties ranging from persisting North–South asymmetries in research capacity to the growing obstacles posed to fieldwork by hyper-securitization and policy informalization trends, now compounded by health-motivated restrictions to mobility.

Homemade State: Motherhood, Citizenship and the Home in Child Welfare Encounters

This article explores the relationship between migrant mothers and welfare workers in domestic space to argue the home is a site where the boundary between formal, social and affective aspects of citizenship is remade. Drawing on 14 months’ ethnography with migrant mothers, this article attends to state encounters in new migrants’ homes revealing how migration and welfare policy changes are reconfiguring their most intimate spaces. Mothers who can prove they are ‘appropriate’ subjects of care (through their mothering practices) are deemed ‘deserving’ objects of state care (and worthy of a form of citizenship and belonging). The deep gendered, raced and classed inflections of ‘deservingness’ and assumptions based on these norms are co-constituted by space and embedded social relations between mothers and welfare workers shaping possibilities of migrant mothers’ citizenship practices.