Changing Landscapes, Changing Rules
The world seems to be a rapidly changing one for those attempting to migrate through the borders to lands they feel are safer and more prosperous than the ones they come from. Changing attitudes towards immigrants eventually lead to changing laws. This new landscape is leaving those in the hopes of starting over in safer environments often still feeling fearful just in a new and more expensive location.
“At the end of June, European leaders met at the European Union summit in Brussels and reached a tenuous agreement on migration. Notably, they agreed to send migrants rescued in the Mediterranean to voluntary “control centers” across the E.U.; made accepting certain numbers of migrants voluntary rather than mandatory…” [1](Jackli, Carlson & Linos, 2018) These new rules have many in the migrant communities who seek shelter in what they once saw as safe harbors finding new solutions to their problem.
This new crop of legislation seems to not be taking into account that people who want out are determined to find a way out. Often they will do so by any means necessary. “Migrants actively respond to European politics. When European countries change policies, displaced people remake their own migration plans. 1. Expect more human smuggling across borders. 2. Expect asylum seekers to stop engaging with government officials. 3. Expect a surge in bureaucratic crises and backlogs in certain E.U. member states. ” [2](Jackli, Carlson & Linos, 2018)
In other parts of the world, immigrants are using technology to help them expedite the process of migration. “PassRight [is] a platform that helps immigrants gain visas through streamlining and automating the entire application process… since launching in 2017 we have helped over 800 immigrants gain access into the US through the help of our innovative and transparent software.” [3](Rosenfeld, 2018)
Why all the fuss? Looks like the fear of a changing landscape may have those pushing back the hardest against immigration feeling like their backs are up against the wall. “[New] immigrants and their descendants will drive most U.S. population growth in the coming 50 years, as they have for the past half-century. Among the projected 441 million Americans in 2065, 78 million will be immigrants and 81 million will be people born in the U.S. to immigrant parents.”[4](Cohn, 2015)
The latest blow to those seeking refuge or hoping to join their families comes from the United States department of homeland security who has decided to update the rules that dictate their behavior. “Department of Homeland Security is planning to significantly limit legal immigration and naturalization by changing the rules on immigration and welfare that have been central to the immigration system for more than 400 years. DHS wants to change the definition of what constitutes a public charge — someone dependent on the state — to deny green cards to legal migrants who are low-wage workers by considering their use, or likely use, of almost any government benefit as criteria for determining who may enter or remain in the United States. These benefits would include welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, children’s health insurance (CHIP), the earned income tax credit or the health-care subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act.” [5](Hester, Mendoza, Maloney & Ngai, 2018) This change will affect expectant mothers who may need pre-natal healthcare, families who may struggle to provide enough food for their families or anyone who may need a helping hand to get on their feet.
“Changing the rules due to fear of shifting landscapes can seem pretty unfair to those playing the game. Luckily, human ingenuity means that where there’s a will there’s a way. Players who find the rules have suddenly changed will find ways to adapt and will write a new playbook. What affect this has on providing proper resources to growing vulnerable communities’ remains to be seen.”
[1] Jackli, L.V., Carlson & M., Linos, K (August 14th, 2018) Anti-immigrant forces won a victory at the E.U. This is how immigrants will respond. https://wapo.st/2MnlyHL
[2] Jackli, L.V., Carlson & M., Linos, K (August 14th, 2018) Anti-immigrant forces won a victory at the E.U. This is how immigrants will respond. https://wapo.st/2MnlyHL
[3] Rosenfeld, Liran Jakob (August 6th, 2018) Does immigration contribute to innovation? https://bit.ly/2MYKD8s
[4] Cohn, D’Vera (October 5th, 2015) Future immigration will change the face of America by 2065 https://pewrsr.ch/1ja3uON
[5] Hester, T., Mendoza, M.E., Maloney, D. & Ngai, M. (August 9th, 2018) Now the Trump administration is trying to punish legal immigrants for being poor https://wapo.st/2MqFrhd
