Migration Studies Commons^™

Religion And Immigration, Old And New, Mark A. Granquist

Faculty Publications

Two great waves of immigration since the middle of the nineteenth century have had great impact on United States culture and religion. While there have been tensions and conflicts, the benefits to both the civil and religious communities continue to be striking.

The Impact Of English Language Proficiency And Workplace Readiness On The Employment Outcomes Of Tertiary International Students (Executive Summary), Sophie Arkoudis, Lesleyanne Hawthorne, Chi Baik, Graeme Hawthorne, Kieran O’Loughlin, Dan Leach, Emmaline Bexley

International Migration Research Centre

This project examines the influence of English language proficiency (ELP) on workplace readiness and employment outcomes for international students and graduates who seek to work in Australia. The study adopts a mixed method approach involving a detailed review of relevant literature, semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups, and quantitative analyses of three statistical data sets — Australian 2006 Census data, Australian Education International (AEI) data from January 2002 to June 2008, and the former Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia (October 2005 and October 2006).

The qualitative data from the interviews …

The Impact Of English Language Proficiency And Workplace Readiness On The Employment Outcomes Of Tertiary International Students (Full Report), Sophie Arkoudis, Lesleyanne Hawthorne, Chi Baik, Graeme Hawthorne, Kieran O’Loughlin, Dan Leach, Emmaline Bexley

International Migration Research Centre

This project examines the influence of English language proficiency (ELP) on workplace readiness and employment outcomes for international students and graduates who seek to work in Australia. The study adopts a mixed method approach involving a detailed review of relevant literature, semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups, and quantitative analyses of three statistical data sets — Australian 2006 Census data, Australian Education International (AEI) data from January 2002 to June 2008, and the former Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia (October 2005 and October 2006).

The qualitative data from the interviews …

Diasporas And Development: An Assessment Of The Irish Experience For The Caribbean, Indianna D. Minto

International Migration Research Centre

Dialogue on diasporas and their role in the development of the home country has grown in the last twenty years and Caribbean states have begun to identify ways they can engage their nationals residing abroad in this process. Those in the region looking to harness the power of the diaspora have turned their attention to the example of Ireland, a country with a large diaspora that has contributed significantly to its national advancement. By highlighting the lessons of the Irish experience, this paper argues that while the Caribbean’s diaspora has the desire to contribute and does help through remittances, there …

India-Canada Trade And Immigration Linkages: A Case Of Regional (Dis)Advantage?, Margaret Walton-Roberts

International Migration Research Centre

This paper reports of the first part of a comparative international study on the relationship between trade and immigration in the case of Canada-India relations. Subsequent papers will report on the Australia-India case. The research examines the perceptions of traders and government and trade officials with regard to how they interpret the links between immigration and trade. The research highlights how specific immigration networks between India and Canada, and various Canadian policy contexts have been seen to restrain the successful development of India-Canadian relations.

From Fighting To Freedom: Stories From Serbian Balkan War Refugees, Svetlana Michelle King, Larry Owens, Neil Welch

Shannon Research Press

The 1990s saw the dissolution of former Yugoslavia following the decline of Communism. Ethnic cleansing campaigns resulted in the displacement of many of the region’s citizens. There is limited published research which specifically examines Serbian experiences of trauma and transformation as a result of the civil unrest. The lack of research attention that this population has received was likely influenced by the international mass media reporting of the events during this time, which portrayed the Serbs as the sole transgressors of the ethnically-driven conflicts. This qualitative study involved ten Serbian participants who migrated to Australia as a result of the …

Adaptation Of Arab Immigrants To Australia, Nina Maadad

Shannon Research Press

This book examines the psychological problems that Arab immigrants experienced in their efforts to adapt socially and culturally when they settled in Australia. The research was based on a group of 40 participants, 16 of whom migrated to Australia between 1973 and 2004. The other 24 were all of Arab descent and born in Australia. The participants’ ages ranged between 14 to 66 years of age. The methodology for undertaking the research utilised humanistic sociology principles, particularly when collecting and analysing qualitative data. This investigation is divided into three sections. The first part focuses on the psychological issues resulting from …

No. 51: Migrant Remittances And Household Survival In Zimbabwe, Daniel Tevara, Abel Chikanda

Southern African Migration Programme

Migrant remittances are now recognised as an important source of global development finance and there is increasing evidence that international remittances have considerable developmental impacts. The contribution of remittances to GDP in many developing countries is significant and has shown a steady increase over the past decade. However, while there is a consensus that remittance flows to Africa are increasing, little attention has been paid to the impact of these transfers on poverty alleviation, primarily because of data deficiencies at the household level. Despite their obvious magnitude, accurate data on remittance flows to Zimbabwe is unavailable or inaccessible. In an …

Migrant Rights Are Human Rights, Jenna Hennebry

International Migration Research Centre

Although it is the case that a rights discourse has become part of everyday language, the discourse remains relatively weak when it comes to migrant workers in Canada and around the world. Most certainly, the rights discourse has not been translated into everyday practices that protect the rights of migrant workers and their families worldwide. In fact, although we have the language of rights clearly articulated in the 1990 UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICMW) which offers significant protections for migrant workers, Canada and most other receiving …

Human Rights Abuses Along The Dominican-Haitian Border, Calla Cloud

Human Rights & Human Welfare

A 122 mile-long border separates the Dominican Republic and Haiti on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Of the two countries, Haiti’s human rights abuses are much more somber than the emerging developments of the Dominican Republic. Haiti’s stagnant economic situation has contributed to perennial political instability and lack of infrastructure, having a particularly confounding affect on the rights and labor conditions of Haitian citizens. There are a myriad of reasons why Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Two of the most prominent include its violent political history and the gradual deterioration of its economy. In the context …

Needs Assessment Of Marginalised, Socially Excluded Immigrant Populations In Johannesburg, South Africa, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The birth of democracy in South Africa and the subsequent economic boom have made the country a prospective haven for many Africans willing or forced to leave their countries. Johannesburg has maintained its reputation as a city where everything is possible and accessible. Berea, Hillbrow, and Yeoville have become destinations for both internal and international (cross-border) migrants as a consequence of their proximity to the city center. However, migrant populations face obstacles that limit access to basic services such as health care, housing, transportation, employment, credit, and security. Asylum-seekers, refugees, and the undocumented are particularly vulnerable and at risk of …

The Gendering Of Vulnerability And Protection Needs: Iraqi Male Refugees, Karin Fernandez

Theses and Dissertations

Refugees pass through various stages from preflight, flight to post flight. It is argued that refugees as a whole - regardless of gender, race or ethnicity - should be considered vulnerable due to their actual or fear of persecution, but this is not always the case. This thesis looks at the ways in which the interpretation of “vulnerability” in the principles and practice of humanitarian aid in the refugee regime is affecting male Iraqi refugees seeking protection, resettlement and rehabilitation. As part of the evidence for this argument, the thesis examines gender differentials in the death rates and levels of …

Assisting And Protecting Refugee Women: A Policy Analysis, Barbara J. Kampa, Raphael Nawrotzki

Faculty Publications

The number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) has risen sharply over the last decade. This trend is the result of several causes such as the impact of climatic change, conflicts over diminishing resources, and religious and ethical disagreements. The largest and most vulnerable subgroup among refugees is women and their dependent children, and they are frequently subject to abuse and neglect. To address protection issues, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released the Policy on Refugee Women in 1990. The authors provide a comprehensive policy analysis, building on an exploration of the historical background and a …

No. 22: South African Government And Civil Society Responses To Zimbabwean Migration, Tara Poizer

Southern African Migration Programme

This policy brief discusses a key paradox in relation to Zimbabwean migration into South Africa. While Zimbabwean migration since 2000 has been the largest concentrated flow in South African history, South Africa’s reaction to this movement has been characterised by the attempt to continue with ‘business as usual’ and ‘no crisis’ responses.1 Compared with most other developed and developing countries, where an inflow of tens or hundreds of thousands of people is usually treated as a political crisis, such a non-response to over a million immigrants requires explanation.

The lack of commensurate responses is especially noticeable within the various departments …

Iraqis In Egypt A Statistical Survey In 2008, Philippe Fargues, Saeed El-Masry, Sara Sadek, Azza Shaban

Faculty Journal Articles

Emigration from Iraq has been occurring since the 1970s. The Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War and the subsequent international sanctions placed on the Iraqi regime have all produced waves of emigration. After US occupation of Iraq, however, and particularly since 2005, the country has witnessed unprecedented levels of out-migration. Since the US led war on Iraq in 2003, massive numbers of Iraqis have been displaced from their homes causing the largest influx of refugees into the region. The situation of Iraqi refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon has received the attention of academics. In comparison, the picture of Iraqis in Egypt …

Immigration, The University, And The Tolerant Second-Tier City, Margaret Walton-Roberts

International Migration Research Centre

Background
The ongoing geographical shift in immigrant settlement patterns and the related settlement experiences of immigrants outside of the largest national cities continues to be of interest to policy makers, practitioners, and researchers alike. This paper explores recent immigration to Kitchener- Waterloo (K-W), a second-tier city (STC) in Ontario, through the conceptual lens of the creative community and the role of the university.

Purpose
Qualitative research on immigrant settlement in Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W), Ontario has revealed the important role played by the region’s universities in attracting immigrants, but also in creating the feeling of a safe and welcoming space. This paper …

Managing The American Tourist Experience In Ireland: An Emotional Context, Angela Wright

Dept. of Organisation & Professional Development Publications

The special relationship that exists between the United States of America and the island of Ireland has its origins predominantly in emigration. Through several centuries, the interaction generated by familial ties has steadily developed into a strong and lasting bond irrevocably linking both nations. The relationship between the United States of America and Ireland has provided the impetus for a continual flow of traffic across the Atlantic. This movement of people and vessels to and fro, engaged in the varied tasks of commerce, family interaction, and leisure, created a new energy for the tourism industry sector in Ireland which continues …

August Roundtable: Introduction

Human Rights & Human Welfare

An annotation of:

"Still knocking, as the doors close." The Economist. June 19, 2008.

Who Counts? Refugees And The Politics Of Indifference, Sonia Cardenas

Human Rights & Human Welfare

The contemporary plight of refugees, asylum seekers, and other marginalized groups reveals the limits of international human rights norms. Numerous internationally recognized standards and laws exist for the humane treatment of people. Yet despite enormous progress, the reality is that some people are simply deemed to be less fully human than others. Nationalism and racism underlie popular indifference to today’s unwanted refugees. This is the unspoken truth that lies at the heart of the global refugee problem.

Social Contract In A Borderless World, Daniel J. Graeber

Human Rights & Human Welfare

Addressing the American Political Science Association in 2000, the international relations theorist Robert Keohane of Princeton University noted that effective governance in a globalized world depends more on interstate cooperation and transnational networks than any type of world body. Keohane made the claim that the people and players in a globalized world stand to gain from the system through cooperation across borders and boundaries. Nevertheless, Keohane also observed that the actors may exploit interdependence in that system by transferring blame to others and that, although institutions may be essential, they can also be dangerous. So it is when confronting the …

Appealing To The Realist Nature Of The Problem: An Attempt To Find Common Ground, Eric K. Leonard

Human Rights & Human Welfare

Whenever I teach my undergraduate course on human rights, I inevitably have one student who argues that state sovereignty trumps all and that states should act in their “national interest” in regards to issues where human rights and sovereignty clash. They usually continue the argument by stipulating that “human rights” are not defensible unless they are universally accepted, meaning contained in a universally ratified document (and they use the term “universal” literally), because all authority resides in the state. Thus, it is always an interesting discussion when we turn to the issue of migration, and more specifically, refugees.

Crossing Borders: Mexican Immigration Into The United States, Ewelina L. Dzieciolowski

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Immigration has been one of the major political and economic topics debated by governments in the world. In the United States, migration legislation is debated in the Senate, and impacts every industry throughout the country. Therefore, with further research in this field more answers for why migration occurs can be found. Although various disciplines focus on this phenomenon, each offers reasons specific to the discipline which is searching for an explanation. This thesis acknowledges that economic factors, social aspects, push and pull influences are some of the reasons for immigration, but it also proposes that there are other forces behind …

Palestinians In Lebanon: Chains Of Misery (Bound By The Law And The Market), Hoda Baraka

Faculty Journal Articles

Insecurity and instability could be general characteristics attributable to a large part of the Palestinian Diaspora, but the unique situation prevailing in Lebanon deserves to be given particular attention. This is because the degree of political, economic and social exclusion towards Palestinians is unique in its extent which in turn creates an ambiguous status quo for Palestinians; from which the present difficulties arise. This ambiguity serves to create a legislative vacuum, which in turn leads to the absence of a foundation for a clear relationship between both the Palestinians and the Lebanese. By discussing the current status of Palestinian refugees …

Demography, Migration And Demand For International Students, Lesleyanne Hawthorne

International Migration Research Centre

The following sections are included:

• DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT AND THE LOOMING ‘WAR FOR SKILLS’

• THE ATTRACTION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AS SKILLED MIGRANTS

• GROWING GLOBAL COMPETITION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• TWO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MIGRATION CASE STUDIES

  • Foreign Doctoral Students in the US

  • Australia

• INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MIGRATION: SELECT POLICY CHALLENGES

• REFERENCES

No. 48: The Quality Of Immigration And Citizenship Services In Namibia, Ndeyapo Nickanor

Southern African Migration Programme

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration (MHAI) in Namibia has sole responsibility for implementing and managing migration policy and legislation; the registration of births, deaths and marriages; and the issuing of identity documents, passports and emergency travel documents. The Ministry also manages visa and permanent and temporary residence applications and approves work permits.

In 2005, the Southern African Migration Project (SAMP) was asked by the Ministry to conduct a systematic survey of the quality of services offered to citizens and non-citizens (the Services Quality Survey or SQS). The main objectives of the SQS were as follows:

• To compare …

No. 49: Gender, Migration And Remittances In Southern Africa, Belinda Dodson, Hamilton Simelane, Daniel Tevera, Thuso Green, Abel Chikanda, Fion De Vletter

Southern African Migration Programme

Migrant remittances have become an important source of income for many developing countries, exceeding official development assistance. As a result, migration and remittance behaviour are becoming a growing focus of international attention. Understanding the processes and patterns of remittance behaviour can help shed light on their usage and impact, both on recipient households and on wider socio-economic development in migrant-origin countries. One key aspect of such an understanding is the gender dynamics of migration and remittance practices. Globally, there is evidence of the feminization of migrant flows, with women increasingly migrating as independent migrants in their own right. Female migrants …

No. 50: The Perfect Storm: The Realities Of Xenophobia In Contemporary South Africa, Jonathan Crush

Southern African Migration Programme

The world recently watched with dismay as South African citi­zens violently attacked foreign nationals in communities across the country. Tens of thousands of migrants were displaced, amid mass looting and destruction of foreign-owned homes, property and businesses. Senior officials and politicians seemed bemused and perplexed by the xenophobic violence. The media was quick to advance several theories about the mayhem. One focused on historical factors, particularly South Africa’s divisive and alienating apartheid past. Another blamed poverty and the daily struggle for existence in many of South Africa’s poorer communities. A third criticized the ANC govern­ment for poor service delivery and …

Migration/Mobility And Vulnerability To Hiv Among Male Migrant Workers: Andhra Pradesh 2007-08, Niranjan Saggurti, Anrudh K. Jain, Saumya Ramarao, Hanimi Reddy Modugu, Ajay Kumar Singh, Suvakanta N. Swain, Ravi K. Verma

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council, in collaboration with TNS India Pvt. Ltd., undertook a study in Andhra Pradesh, India, to examine the patterns of male migration and its links with HIV risk. The goal was to provide evidence to inform the design and implementation of HIV interventions for male migrant workers. The study documented the volume and patterns of mobility, including the social dynamics within the contract system that employs these men as laborers, and the sexual risk behaviors and addictive behaviors of male migrants. The results suggest a predominance of interdistrict movements of men within Andhra Pradesh with a strong positive …

Migration/Mobility And Vulnerability To Hiv Among Male Migrant Workers: Karnataka 2007-08, Shiva S. Halli, Raluca Buzdugan, Niranjan Saggurti, Ravi K. Verma, Stephen Moses, James Blanchard, Anrudh K. Jain, Saumya Ramarao, Ajay Kumar Singh, Suvakanta N. Swain

HIV and AIDS

The present study was undertaken by the Population Council and the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust to study the patterns and factors driving migration among men and the extent to which they engage in high-risk activities associated with HIV. The specific objectives of the study were: to understand the patterns and factors driving the migration of men seeking work in the state of Karnataka; to describe the characteristics of vulnerable subpopulations among migrant men; and to examine the determinants of high-risk sexual behavior among the subpopulations of migrant men, with an emphasis on their mobility as one possible factor. Results suggest …

Migration/Mobility And Vulnerability To Hiv Among Male Migrant Workers: Maharashtra 2007-08, K. Anil Kumar, Shalini Bharat, Niranjan Saggurti, Ravi K. Verma, Anrudh K. Jain, Saumya Ramarao, Kanchan Mukherjee, Ajay Kumar Singh, Suvakanta N. Swain

HIV and AIDS

HIV prevalence in Maharashtra is one of the highest among Indian states. The specific objectives of this study were: to understand the patterns and drivers of migration/mobility of men who migrate for the purpose of work in the state of Maharashtra; to describe the characteristics of vulnerable subpopulations among migrant men; and to examine the determinants of high-risk sexual behavior among the subpopulations of migrant men with particular emphasis on the role of mobility in determining the sexual risk behavior. The present study clearly demonstrates that these male migrants, married or otherwise, retain strong connectivity to their native villages, but …