Global Immigration Trends and Global Immigration Trends and

IssuesIssues

Keynote AddressKeynote AddressCIC-LINC Administrators’ MeetingCIC-LINC Administrators’ Meeting

byby

Dr. Usha GeorgeDr. Usha GeorgeDean, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University, Dean, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University,

Toronto.Toronto.

March 7, 2007March 7, 2007Eaton Centre, Marriott Hotel, TorontoEaton Centre, Marriott Hotel, Toronto

Features of GlobalizationFeatures of Globalization

► Mutually reinforcing processes of globalization and regionalizationMutually reinforcing processes of globalization and regionalization

► Key Role of Global citiesKey Role of Global cities

► Multinational companies control of employment, national exports, Multinational companies control of employment, national exports, output, and technology investmentoutput, and technology investment

► Increased mobility of capital and skilled labourIncreased mobility of capital and skilled labour

► Multilateral, regional, and worldwide systems of governance and Multilateral, regional, and worldwide systems of governance and regulation regulation

► Technology and the resultant speed and reach of cultural and social Technology and the resultant speed and reach of cultural and social networksnetworks

► Reconstitution of new transnational political economy through Reconstitution of new transnational political economy through global migrations global migrations

► Asylum seekers and refugees are coming from the poor southern Asylum seekers and refugees are coming from the poor southern countriescountries

Globalization and International Globalization and International MigrationMigration

►Globalization has greatly Globalization has greatly facilitated international migration facilitated international migration

►International migration is noted in International migration is noted in the conceptualization of the conceptualization of globalizationglobalization

Global Trends in International Global Trends in International Population MovementsPopulation Movements

► Increasing Number of International Increasing Number of International MigrantsMigrants

► Global Movement of RefugeesGlobal Movement of Refugees

► Decreasing Number of Asylum Decreasing Number of Asylum ApplicationsApplications

► Feminization of MigrationFeminization of Migration

Increasing Number of Increasing Number of International MigrantsInternational Migrants

►Migrants total 2.9 percent of the Migrants total 2.9 percent of the world population (IOM, 2003)world population (IOM, 2003)

““1 out of every 35 persons is an 1 out of every 35 persons is an international migrant”international migrant” (IOM, (IOM, 2003 p. 375)2003 p. 375)

World’s foreign-born population has World’s foreign-born population has doubled between 1960 & 2000doubled between 1960 & 2000

Global Movement of Global Movement of RefugeesRefugees

► The United Nations High Commissioner for The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that during the first Refugees (UNHCR) reports that during the first quarter of 2004, the refugee population was quarter of 2004, the refugee population was “remarkably stable”“remarkably stable”

► By the end of 2004, the number of refugees By the end of 2004, the number of refugees globally totaled 9.2 million, a number which has globally totaled 9.2 million, a number which has decreased slightly since the beginning of the decreased slightly since the beginning of the same year same year

Source: UNHCR, 2004Source: UNHCR, 2004

AsylumAsylum ApplicationsApplications

The number of asylum requests filed The number of asylum requests filed worldwide in 2004 was 676, 000 worldwide in 2004 was 676, 000 compared with 2003’s total of compared with 2003’s total of 830,300 830,300

Source: UNHCR, 2005Source: UNHCR, 2005

Nations recording and receiving the Nations recording and receiving the highest number of new requests for highest number of new requests for

asylum in 2004asylum in 2004

Nations recording the highest Nations recording the highest number of new requests for number of new requests for asylumasylum

Nations receiving the largest Nations receiving the largest numbers of asylum seekersnumbers of asylum seekers

France France 58,5000 58,5000 Iran Iran 1,046,0001,046,000

United United Kingdom Kingdom

40,200 40,200 PakistanPakistan 960,600960,600

Germany Germany 35,600, 35,600, Germany Germany 876,622876,622

The United The United States States

27,900 27,900 Tanzania Tanzania 602,100 602,100

South Africa South Africa 32,600 32,600 The United The United States States

420,900 420,900

Canada Canada 25,800 25,800 China China 299,400 299,400

Source: UNHCR, 2005

Feminization of MigrationFeminization of Migration

►In 2000, approximately 49 percent In 2000, approximately 49 percent of all international migrants were of all international migrants were women (IOM, 2005) women (IOM, 2005)

►Women are increasingly migrating Women are increasingly migrating as independent heads of as independent heads of households instead of dependentshouseholds instead of dependents

Migration Trends in North America- Migration Trends in North America- USAUSA..

► The U. S. is the world’s foremost The U. S. is the world’s foremost receiving country with approximately receiving country with approximately 850,000 legal permanent entries and 850,000 legal permanent entries and 1,535,000 entries with temporary 1,535,000 entries with temporary visas each year (IOM, 2003) visas each year (IOM, 2003)

► The largest migratory movement on earth is that of emigration from Mexico to the

U. S. Between 300,000 and 400,000 etween 300,000 and 400,000 Mexicans enter the U. S. annuallyMexicans enter the U. S. annually. .

Migration Trends in North America- Migration Trends in North America- CanadaCanada

► Canada has received over 200,000 new Canada has received over 200,000 new permanent residents almost every year permanent residents almost every year since 1990 since 1990

► There has been a quick and large There has been a quick and large increase in its proportion of foreign-increase in its proportion of foreign-born residents in recent years born residents in recent years

Migration Trends in Latin AmericaMigration Trends in Latin America - -Mexico and Central and South AmericaMexico and Central and South America

► Migration to Canada and the U. S. Migration to Canada and the U. S.

► Intra-Central America migrationIntra-Central America migration

► Migration within the Andean regionMigration within the Andean region

► Migration flows in the Southern Cone of Argentina, Migration flows in the Southern Cone of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay

► Guerilla warfare promoting refugee movements return Guerilla warfare promoting refugee movements return migration, and internal migration flows within Brazil migration, and internal migration flows within Brazil

Migration Trends in EuropeMigration Trends in Europe

► During the past four decades the EU has been host to a large During the past four decades the EU has been host to a large number of immigrantsnumber of immigrants - - In 2005, immigrants constituted 8.8 In 2005, immigrants constituted 8.8 per cent of the total population of Europe (International per cent of the total population of Europe (International Migration, 2006)Migration, 2006)

► Migration flows move into other countries within the regionMigration flows move into other countries within the region

► The types of migration flows and connections with other The types of migration flows and connections with other parts of the world have diversifiedparts of the world have diversified

► Strong in-migration countries in the region include the Czech Strong in-migration countries in the region include the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Russia; strong out-migration Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Russia; strong out-migration countries are Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and countries are Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine; and, those witnessing a moderate level of migration Ukraine; and, those witnessing a moderate level of migration are Lithuania and Slovakiaare Lithuania and Slovakia

Inflows of Foreign Nationals-EuropeInflows of Foreign Nationals-Europe2003-20042003-2004

Receiving Receiving Country Country

20032003 2004 2004 2003-2004 2003-2004 Per cent Per cent change change

FinlandFinland 7500 7500 56005600 -1900-1900 -25 -25

Germany Germany 238400238400 202300202300 -36100 -36100 -15-15

NetherlandsNetherlands 6080060800 5700057000 -3800-3800 -6-6

DenmarkDenmark 1620016200 1590015900 -300-300 -2-2

FranceFrance 173100 173100 175200 175200 21002100 1 1

Switzerland Switzerland 7970079700 8260082600 29002900 44

SwedenSweden 3840038400 4070040700 23002300 66

NorwayNorway 18800 18800 2140021400 2600 2600 1414

AustriaAustria 5100051000 5960059600 86008600 1717

PortugalPortugal 1110011100 1310013100 20002000 1818

U.KU.K 214600214600 266500266500 5190051900 2424

ItalyItaly 121800121800 156400156400 3460034600 2828

Source: IMO, 2006Source: IMO, 2006

Migration Trends in Migration Trends in EuropeEurope

► The intensity of migration flows can be characterized as The intensity of migration flows can be characterized as

those countries with : strong inflow and weak outflowthose countries with : strong inflow and weak outflow

strong inflow and outflowstrong inflow and outflow

weak inflow and strong outflow, and weak inflow and strong outflow, and

weak inflow and outflow weak inflow and outflow

► Few countries, most notably Russia, have large Few countries, most notably Russia, have large

numbers of displaced persons (Okólski, 2000numbers of displaced persons (Okólski, 2000 ) )

► Most European nations have begun to curb immigration Most European nations have begun to curb immigration

rates through the reinforcement of stricter immigration rates through the reinforcement of stricter immigration

controls controls

Is immigration a remedy for Is immigration a remedy for declining and aging populations?declining and aging populations?

A review of the research related to A review of the research related to

Immigration and Canadian demographics Immigration and Canadian demographics

reports that while immigration, of about reports that while immigration, of about

200,000 per year can be the solution to 200,000 per year can be the solution to

effectively prevent population decline, at effectively prevent population decline, at

current levels of fertility, it has a minor impact current levels of fertility, it has a minor impact

on ageing, which will continue regardless of on ageing, which will continue regardless of

level of immigration (Beaujot, 1998). level of immigration (Beaujot, 1998).

Migration Policy Trends in Migration Policy Trends in Traditional Countries of Traditional Countries of

ImmigrationImmigration ► Immigration as a source of increasing Immigration as a source of increasing

the labour pool and growth in the labour pool and growth in populationpopulation

► Selection of immigrant stream to suit Selection of immigrant stream to suit the country’s needsthe country’s needs

► Temporary-to-permanent entry routes Temporary-to-permanent entry routes have become increasingly prominent have become increasingly prominent

► Eurpean Immigration to the TCI’s has Eurpean Immigration to the TCI’s has declined while immigration from Asia declined while immigration from Asia has increased significantly has increased significantly

TransnationalismTransnationalism► A new perspectiveA new perspective

► A grassroots occurrence with deep historical rootsA grassroots occurrence with deep historical roots

► Is not a characteristic of all immigrantsIs not a characteristic of all immigrants

► Transnational identities can take a variety of formsTransnational identities can take a variety of forms

► Transnationalism has macro-social consequencesTransnationalism has macro-social consequences

► Transnational activism varies in extent and forms with Transnational activism varies in extent and forms with the contexts of exit in the sending country and reception the contexts of exit in the sending country and reception in the receiving countryin the receiving country

► Global cities are major sites for transnational Global cities are major sites for transnational encounters (Portes, 2003; Castles 2003). encounters (Portes, 2003; Castles 2003).

Consequences of ImmigrationConsequences of Immigration

► Small negative effect of immigration on Small negative effect of immigration on unemploymentunemployment——higher social cost for higher social cost for immigrants than that for the population at large immigrants than that for the population at large

► Increased demand for goods and services Increased demand for goods and services produced in the host country createsproduced in the host country creates favourable favourable demand for labour demand for labour

► Immigrants serve as a flexible labour pool Immigrants serve as a flexible labour pool providing geographical and functional mobility providing geographical and functional mobility

► Immigration has assisted some countries in Immigration has assisted some countries in dealing with the problems created by an ageing dealing with the problems created by an ageing populationpopulation

Issues in SettlementIssues in Settlement

►Meaningful employment Meaningful employment

►Information and access to Information and access to programs and servicesprograms and services

►HousingHousing

►Language trainingLanguage training

►Community connectionsCommunity connections

ReferencesReferences ► Beaujot, R. (1998). Immigration and Canadian Demographics: State Beaujot, R. (1998). Immigration and Canadian Demographics: State

of the Research. CIC Canada. Retrieved 27th September 2006 from of the Research. CIC Canada. Retrieved 27th September 2006 from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/research/papers/demographics.htmlhttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/research/papers/demographics.html

► Castles, S. (2003b). Transnational communities: A new form of Castles, S. (2003b). Transnational communities: A new form of social relations under conditions of globalization? In J. G. Reitz social relations under conditions of globalization? In J. G. Reitz (Ed.), (Ed.), Host societies and the reception of immigrantsHost societies and the reception of immigrants, (pp. 429-, (pp. 429-445). San Diego: University of California, Center for Comparative 445). San Diego: University of California, Center for Comparative Immigration Studies.Immigration Studies.

► International Migration 2006. (Wall chart). United Nations. International Migration 2006. (Wall chart). United Nations. Retrieved on March 6, 2007 from Retrieved on March 6, 2007 from http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/2006Migration_Chart/2006Itthttp://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/2006Migration_Chart/2006IttMig_chart.htmMig_chart.htm

► International Migration Outlook. (2006).Retrieved on March 6, International Migration Outlook. (2006).Retrieved on March 6, 2007 from 2007 from http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/44/33/36859673.pdfhttp://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/44/33/36859673.pdf

► International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2003). International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2003). World World migration 2003migration 2003. Retrieved on January 22, 2007, from . Retrieved on January 22, 2007, from http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/cache/bypass/pid/8?http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/cache/bypass/pid/8?entryId=4992 entryId=4992

► International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2005). International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2005). World World migration 2005. migration 2005. Retrieved on January 22, 2007, from Retrieved on January 22, 2007, from http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/cache/bypass/pid/8?entryId=932&srcIdhttp://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/cache/bypass/pid/8?entryId=932&srcId=933&grpsrc==933&grpsrc=yes&publicationEntriesGroup_filteryes&publicationEntriesGroup_filter=World%20Migration%20Reports=World%20Migration%20Reports

► Okólski, M. (2000). Recent trends and major issues in Okólski, M. (2000). Recent trends and major issues in international migration: international migration: Central and East European Central and East European perspectives. perspectives. International Social Science Journal, 52International Social Science Journal, 52, 330-, 330-341.341.

► Portes, A. (2003). Conclusion: Theoretical convergencies and Portes, A. (2003). Conclusion: Theoretical convergencies and empirical evidence in the study of immigrant empirical evidence in the study of immigrant transnationalism. transnationalism. International Migration Review, 37International Migration Review, 37, 874-, 874-892.892.

► Tapinos, G.P. & Delaunay, D. (2000). Can one really talk of Tapinos, G.P. & Delaunay, D. (2000). Can one really talk of the globalization migration flows? In (unknown eds.), the globalization migration flows? In (unknown eds.), Globalization, Migration and Development, Globalization, Migration and Development, 35-58. Paris: 35-58. Paris: OECD.OECD.

► United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2004). (2004). Refugee Trends: 1 January-31 March 2004Refugee Trends: 1 January-31 March 2004. Geneva, . Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Switzerland: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Population Data Unit, Population and Geographic Data Population Data Unit, Population and Geographic Data Section. Section.

► United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), (2005). (2005). Asylum levels and trends in Industrialized countries, Asylum levels and trends in Industrialized countries, 2004. Retrieved 5th October 2006 from 2004. Retrieved 5th October 2006 from http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.pdf?http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.pdf?tbl=STATISTICS&id=422439144&page=statisticstbl=STATISTICS&id=422439144&page=statistics