A report examined the key barriers and issues for migrant women seeking safety and protection in the United Kingdom.
Source: Silenced Voices Speak: Strategies for protecting migrant women from violence and abuse, Rights of Women
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Dec
A new book examined the legal, political, and educational challenges posed by migration-related religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity in European countries.
Source: Anna Triandafyllidou, Tariq Modood, and Nasar Meer (eds.), European Multiculturalisms: Cultural, religious and ethnic challenges, Edinburgh University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined competing micro- and macro-level explanations of differential occupational attainment among immigrant groups across 28 European countries. People with a migration background did not necessarily achieve a lower labour market success than the majority: but human capital, social mobility, and cultural background explained these outcomes to different degrees, suggesting the need for tailored pathways to labour market success for each group of migrants.
Source: Florian Pichler, 'Success on European labor markets: a cross-national comparison of attainment between immigrant and majority populations', International Migration Review, Volume 45 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
A new book provided a comparative account of de facto or de jure stateless populations in the European Union, based on research from over 100 interviews in Estonia, France, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom.
Source: Caroline Sawyer and Brad Blitz (eds.), Statelessness in the European Union: Displaced, undocumented, unwanted, Cambridge University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Dec
A paper examined the role of ethnic networks in the location decision of migrants to the European Union at the regional level. A 'substantially positive' effect was found of ethnic networks on the location decision of migrants.
Source: Klaus Nowotny and Dieter Pennerstorfer, Ethnic Networks and the Location Choice of Migrants in Europe, Working Paper 415/2011, Austrian Institute of Economic Research
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined the European Union legal framework on the trafficking in human beings. It focused on the illegal trafficking of adults against their will, and the consequences of it for the United Kingdom law-enforcement authorities.
Source: Maria Catherine O'Neill, 'The EU legal framework on trafficking in human beings: where to from here – the UK perspective', Journal of Contemporary European Research, Volume 7 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
A paper examined the skill structures of immigrants and their labour market integration in the different European countries, their position in the wage distribution, and the situation of their children. Immigrants – in particular those from non-European Union countries – were severely disadvantaged in most countries.
Source: Christian Dustmann and Tommaso Frattini, Immigration: The European Experience, Discussion Paper 22, Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (University College London)
Links: Discussion paper
Date: 2011-Dec
The government began consultation on whether forcing someone to marry should be made a criminal offence or whether the existing arrangements provided adequate protection.
Source: Forced Marriage Consultation, Home Office
Links: Consultation document | NFM press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Dec
A report examined how countries in Europe had often turned to regularizations to address illegal immigration. More than 5 million people had been regularized in Europe since 1996 through a variety of methods.
Source: Kate Brick, Regularizations in the European Union: The contentious policy tool, Migration Policy Institute
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Dec
The European Commission proposed a reinforcement of practical, technical, and financial co-operation in the field of asylum, designed to promote the completion of the common European asylum system by 2012.
Source: Enhanced Intra-EU Solidarity in the Field of Asylum: An EU agenda for better responsibility-sharing and more mutual trust, European Commission
Links: Communication | European Commission press release
Date: 2011-Dec
The European Court of Justice ruled that an asylum-seeker could not be transferred to a member state where they risked being subjected to inhumane treatment (thereby constraining the right to send asylum-seekers back to the first European country they had entered).
Source: NS v Secretary of State for the Home Department and ME and Others v Refugee Applications Commissioner, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Joined Cases), European Court of Justice
Links: Judgement | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Dec
A report examined the detected and estimated scope of illegal migration in Europe.
Source: Christal Morehouse and Michael Blomfield, Irregular Migration in Europe, Migration Policy Institute
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Dec
A paper said that the European Union enlargement during 2004-2007 had not produced any negative effects or disruptions in the labour markets of the member states. All three agents – the migrants, the receiving countries, and the sending countries – had gained from labour mobility.
Source: Amelie Constant, Sizing It Up: Labor migration lessons of the EU enlargement to 27, Discussion Paper 6119, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Nov
A report examined the economic and labour market impact of east-west labour flows following the enlargement of the European Union in 2004. The long-run impact on national income per capita was expected to be negligible.
Source: Dawn Holland, Tatiana Fic, Ana Rincon-Aznar, Lucy Stokes, and Pawel Paluchowski, Labour Mobility Within the EU: The impact of enlargement and the functioning of the transitional arrangements, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Nov
A report said that family migration policies in Europe were too often dominated by negative stereotyping of migrants. A number of countries had argued that there was a need to protect migrant women against forced marriages, and had used this to impose 'totally disproportionate' restrictions. The report called for integration to be treated within a rights-based perspective that also recognized the diversity of family migrants.
Source: Eleonore Kofman, Family Reunion Legislation in Europe: Is It Discriminatory for Migrant Women?, European Network of Migrant Women
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Nov
A new book examined migration and health in the European Union. It considered the rights of migrants to health; problems in their access to health services; and the challenges and opportunities in monitoring migrant health. It discussed the policy response to date and the need for culturally responsive health services.
Source: Bernd Rechel, Philipa Mladovsky, Walter Deville, Barbara Rijks, Roumyana Petrova-Benedict, and Martin McKee (eds.), Migration and Health in the European Union, Open University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Nov
Researchers mapped the number and profile of stateless persons in the United Kingdom.
Source: Lucy Gregg, Chris Nash, and Nick Oakeshott, Mapping Statelessness in the United Kingdom, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees/Asylum Aid
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Nov
A survey of migrants involved in the sex industry found that a majority of them had not been forced or trafficked into the profession. If they experienced difficulties in exercising rights to take decisions in matters concerning their personal lives, these were more likely to come from the issue of official immigration status than from forced labour.
Source: Nick Mai, In Whose Name? Migration and trafficking in the UK sex industry: delivering social interventions between myths and reality, Institute for the Study of European Transformations (London Metropolitan University)
Links: Findings | Project summary | MRN press release
Date: 2011-Nov
A report summarized research that explored growing levels of distrust in political institutions (including elected politicians and political parties), focusing on public concerns about immigration as a causal factor.
Source: Anita Hurrell, Immigration and Political Trust: Project synthesis report 2010-2011, Policy Network
Links: Report | Policy Network press release
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined recent judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union relating to the right to family reunification. EU citizens unable to establish a link with EU law were often subject to stricter family reunification requirements compared with their migrant compatriots and even certain third country nationals. This situation was difficult to accept in light of the principles of legal certainty, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights.
Source: Peter Van Elsuwege and Dimitry Kochenov, 'On the limits of judicial intervention: EU citizenship and family reunification rights', European Journal of Migration and Law, Volume 13 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
A paper estimated the immigrant-native earnings gap across the entire earnings distribution, across continents of nationality, and across cohorts of arrival in the United Kingdom between 1978 and 2006. There was a 'clear and wide' dividing line between whites and non-whites in simple comparable models: but this narrowed after accounting for unobservable individual characteristics.
Source: Sara Lemos, Mind the Gap: A detailed picture of the immigrant-native earnings gap in the UK using longitudinal data between 1978 and 2006, Discussion Paper 6058, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Nov
A paper examined the impact of unemployment benefits on immigration to European countries. All estimates indicated that flows within the European Union were not related to unemployment benefit generosity.
Source: Corrado Giulietti, Martin Guzi, Martin Kahanec, and Klaus Zimmermann, Unemployment Benefits and Immigration: Evidence from the EU, Discussion Paper 6075, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the content of citizenship tests in a range of European countries (including the United Kingdom). Neither any hypothesis from the existing citizenship and civic integration literature, nor the characteristics of a citizenship policy regime, could explain the content of all the tests.
Source: Ines Michalowski, 'Required to assimilate? The content of citizenship tests in five countries', Citizenship Studies, Volume 15 Issue 6-7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
A report (by an official advisory body) said that an earnings test was the best way to decide if immigrant workers should be allowed settlement rights after 5 years. There was no single right way of setting the minimum pay threshold: but a level between £31,000 and £49,000 per year, uprated over time to account for price or pay inflation, would be 'economically defensible'.
Source: Analysis of the Points Based System: Settlement rights of migrants in tier 1 and tier 2, Migration Advisory Committee
Links: Report | UKBA press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-Nov
A new book examined the impact of the European Union on the policies and politics of immigrant integration in its member states. It considered whether the EU could be a force for good in a policy area hitherto thought to be a matter for national discretion.
Source: Suzanne Mulcahy, Europe's Migrant Policies: Illusions of integration, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the employment disadvantage faced by ethnic minorities and migrants. The previous Labour government's policies had been insufficiently effective in tackling this problem. The new coalition government should consider interventions that were aimed at levelling up employment opportunities for the groups concerned by recognizing that some labour market disadvantages were common across all ethnic groups, while others were more relevant for particular ethnic groups.
Source: Viet-Hai Phung, 'Ethnicity, migration and employment disadvantage under New Labour: reviewing the evidence from the United Kingdom', Policy Studies, Volume 32 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
A report examined the role of local and regional authorities in preserving the dignity and access to fundamental rights of undocumented immigrants in the European Union.
Source: Sergio Carrera and Joanna Parkin, Protecting and Delivering Fundamental Rights of Irregular Migrants at Local and Regional Levels in the European Union, Centre for European Policy Studies (Brussels)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Nov
A new book examined how young adult migrants in Europe experienced the complex processes of inclusion and exclusion in different life arenas such as work, school, neighbourhood, family, and peer groups. It highlighted the way in which individual factors such as class background, country of origin, and gender interacted with the different juridical, political, and socio-economic characteristics of the various host societies.
Source: Katrine Fangen, Thomas Johansson, and Nils Hammaren (eds.), Young Migrants: Exclusion and belonging in Europe, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Nov
A paper examined the types of social security benefits that immigrants tended to claim. It also looked at the factors that determined social benefit claims, including the impact of education, ethnicity, and years since migration. Social welfare claims varied considerably by immigrant group as well as by the type of benefit claimed. There was also some variation by gender within the migrant groups.
Source: Stephen Drinkwater and Catherine Robinson, Welfare Participation by Immigrants in the UK, Discussion Paper 6144, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Nov
The equality and human rights watchdog in Scotland said that human trafficking existed throughout the country, arising from the exploitation of vulnerable victims, demand for cheap labour, and profit-driven organized crime. Scotland had made some progress on tackling trafficking, but lacked a comprehensive strategy to effectively deal with the crime.
Source: Inquiry into Human Trafficking in Scotland, Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland
Links: Report | Summary | EHRC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the relationship between (on the one hand) transnational migration, gender, and care regimes in Europe, and (on the other) migrants' arrangements for labour and care.
Source: Helma Lutz and Ewa Palenga-Mollenbeck, 'Care, gender and migration: towards a theory of transnational domestic work migration in Europe', Journal of Contemporary European Studies, Volume 19 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
A study provided an overview of the situation of immigrants in the European Union, with a particular focus on the process of their integration and its impact on the labour market.
Source: Werner Eichhorst, Tommaso Frattini, Corrado Giulietti, Martin Guzi, Klaus Nowotny, Michael Kendzia, Peter Huber, Paola Monti, and Barbara Vandeweghe, The Integration of Migrants and Its Effects on the Labour Market, Research Report. 40, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Nov
An article said that strict employment protection legislation gave immigrants a comparative advantage relative to natives in European countries. Immigrants were often less aware of employment protection regulations and less likely to claim their rights – which might create a gap between the costs for employers of hiring a native relative to hiring an immigrant.
Source: Filipa Sa, ' Does employment protection help immigrants? Evidence from European labor markets', Labour Economics, Volume 18 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Oct
A new book examined the regulation of marriage migration into the United Kingdom.
Source: Helena Wray, Regulating Marriage Migration into the UK: A stranger in the home, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Oct
A new book examined the gendered aspects of educational experiences and outcomes of migrant children, and particularly young migrant women, in 5 European countries (including the United Kingdom).
Source: Josie Christodoulou et al., Young Migrant Women in Secondary Education: Promoting integration and mutual understanding through dialogue and exchange, University of Nicosia Press
Links: Book text | EWL press release
Date: 2011-Oct
A paper examined the role of the 'welfare magnet hypothesis' for migrants to the European Union at the regional level. The regional location decisions of migrants were mostly governed by income opportunities, labour market conditions, ethnic networks, and a common language. There was no strong evidence for the welfare magnet hypothesis in the EU: but the income tax system did have a 'large and consistent' effect on locational choice.
Source: Klaus Nowotny, Welfare Magnets, Taxation and the Location Decisions of Migrants to the EU, Working Paper 393, Austrian Institute of Economic Research
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Oct
A report said that gender-related barriers to the appeals system were contributing to the low number of women attending hearings at the asylum support tribunal. Factors such as childcare, poor health, and fear might make it more difficult for women to access appeals.
Source: Gerry Hickey, Barriers to Support Appeals for Asylum-Seeking Women, Asylum Support Appeals Project
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Oct
A report examined access to healthcare for irregular migrants in the European Union. Irregular migrants often faced increased risk to their health from poor living and working conditions. At the same time their access to healthcare was limited due to legal, economic, and practical obstacles. Excluding irregular migrants from healthcare endangered their lives and well-being, increased the cost of future emergency treatment, and posed a health risk to the wider community.
Source: Migrants in an Irregular Situation: Access to healthcare in 10 European Union member states, Fundamental Rights Agency (European Commission)
Links: Report | FRA press release
Date: 2011-Oct
A report examined the links between immigration status and migrants' vulnerability to forced labour. It considered how socio-legal status (specific rights to residence, work, and social welfare) affected migrants' risk of forced labour, and how immigration policy might reduce or facilitate the use of forced labour.
Source: Peter Dwyer, Hannah Lewis, Lisa Scullion, and Louise Waite, Forced Labour and UK Immigration Policy: Status matters?, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Date: 2011-Oct
A think-tank report set out an alternative policy on settlement rights for temporary migrants. A tighter policy, as proposed by the coalition government, should not necessarily be opposed: but excessive tightening would cause both economic and social damage.
Source: Matt Cavanagh, Guest Workers: Settlement, temporary economic migration and a critique of the government s plans, Institute for Public Policy Research
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Oct
The Supreme Court ruled that a government ban on non-European Union foreign spouses under the age of 21 coming to the United Kingdom (designed to stop forced marriages) was unlawful because it breached their human right to a private and family life.
Source: R (on the application of Quila and another) v Secretary of State for the Home Department/R (on the application of Bibi and another) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, UKSC 45 (2011), United Kingdom Supreme Court
Links: Judgement | JCWI press release | UK Human Rights blog | BBC report
Date: 2011-Oct
A think-tank report examined the challenges facing the United Kingdom's migration policy. The UK needed to focus on attracting highly skilled migrants, and the key to doing this was to reduce income taxes.
Source: Taxing Talent: How Britain can attract and retain the world s best workers, Adam Smith Institute
Links: Report | ASI press release
Date: 2011-Oct
The Home Secretary said that article 8 of the Human Rights Act – guaranteeing the right to family life – had been 'perverted' and used to prevent the deportation of foreign national prisoners and illegal immigrants. Legislation would be introduced aimed at encouraging the courts to adopt a narrower interpretation of the Act.
Source: Speech by Theresa May MP (Home Secretary), 4 October 2011
Links: Speech | Amnesty press release | Liberty press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined the extent to which migration altered intergenerational replacement. The United Kingdom as a whole could be seen to experience 'replacement migration' as immigration compensated for fertility below the replacement level: but the impact of migration differed radically between different areas of the country. South east England experienced very substantial immigration from both the rest of the UK and overseas – far more than was needed for intergenerational replacement – whereas most of the rest of the UK saw little or no net immigration and the overall replacement ratio remained below the replacement level.
Source: Chris Wilson and Lee Williamson, 'Intergenerational replacement and migration in the countries and regions of the United Kingdom, 1971-2009', Population Trends 145, Autumn 2011, Office for National Statistics
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Sep
A paper examined citizenship policies and naturalization rates in European countries. Restricting access to citizenship was related to lower naturalization rates.
Source: David Reichel, Do Legal Regulations Hinder Naturalisation? Citizenship policies and naturalisation rates in Europe, Working Paper 2011/51, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute (Florence)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Sep
An article examined the significance of a human rights approach to access to healthcare, based on a comparative study of healthcare provision for irregular migrants in France and the United Kingdom.
Source: Sylvie da Lomba, 'Irregular migrants and the human right to health care: a case-study of health-care provision for irregular migrants in France and the UK', International Journal of Law in Context, Volume 7 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Sep
A study examined the general factors that explained why immigrants moved to particular regions within the United Kingdom.
Source: Ana Rincon-Aznar and Lucy Stokes, Local Geography of International Migration to the UK, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Sep
A new book examined the treatment of asylum-seekers in the European Union. Member states had decided to increase co-operation on asylum issues: but this led to questions concerning the human rights protection of asylum-seekers, both at the moment they applied for asylum at the border and during the application procedure.
Source: Helena Raulus and Flora Goudappel, The Future of Asylum in the European Union: Problems, proposals and human rights, TMC Asser Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Sep
A study compared the migrant integration policies of the United Kingdom with those of Australia and Canada.
Source: Thomas Huddleston, Promoting Integration Through English & Multiculturalism: Australia & Canada compared to the UK, Migration Policy Group
Date: 2011-Sep
An article examined the nature of migration to the United Kingdom during the recession from 'A8' countries (countries that had recently joined the European Union). The recession had seen a decline in new A8 migrants: but the decline had been sectorally uneven, with demand for migrant labour being most persistent in the agricultural sector.
Source: David McCollum and Allan Findlay, 'The nature of A8 migration during the recession', Population Trends 145, Autumn 2011, Office for National Statistics
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Sep
A report examined skills mismatch among migrants and ethnic minorities in Europe, and its impacts.
Source: Migrants, Minorities, Mismatch? Skill mismatch among migrants and ethnic minorities in Europe, Research Paper 16, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
Links: Report | ECDVT press release
Date: 2011-Sep
An article examined the approach to disability adopted by the Common European Asylum System, and the barriers encountered by persons with disabilities seeking refuge in the European Union.
Source: Clara Straimer, 'Between protection and assistance: is there refuge for asylum seekers with disabilities in Europe?', Disability & Society, Volume 26 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined issues of inequality that arose within immigration detention.
Source: Stefanie Grant, 'Immigration detention: some issues of inequality', Equal Rights Review, Volume 7
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Aug
A report examined how issues of immigration were politicized in European countries in times of economic crisis. The welfare state played an important role in cultural and social integration – which could differ significantly from economic integration – and could explain why social cohesion and the state of the economy were not directly linked.
Source: Didier Ruedin and Gianni D Amato, Social Cohesion Challenges in Europe, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (European University Institute, Florence)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Aug
A report examined the impact of student and migrant employment on opportunities for low-skilled people. There was 'little evidence' to support anecdotal suggestions of students and migrants displacing low-skilled people from opportunities in the local labour market.
Source: Gaby Atfield, Anne Green, Kate Purcell, Teresa Staniewicz, and David Owen, The Impact of Student and Migrant Employment on Opportunities for Low Skilled People, UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined 'policy discourses' in relation to irregular migration in Europe.
Source: Bastian Vollmer, 'Policy discourses on irregular migration in the EU – "number games" and "political games"', European Journal of Migration and Law, Volume 13 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined international migration and housing demand, and the extent of differences in demand and access to home-ownership across international migrant groups. There were differences in home-ownership attainment that might be related to ethno-cultural differences, or to unobserved wealth effects and mortgage market institutional factors.
Source: Christian Nygaard, 'International migration, housing demand and access to homeownership in the UK', Urban Studies, Volume 48 Number 11
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
A paper said that immigration had a negative effect on house prices. This was because members of the native population tended to respond to immigration by moving to different areas, and those who left were at the top of the wage distribution.
Source: Filipa Sa, Immigration and House Prices in the UK, Discussion Paper 5893, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Aug
A report presented findings from further analysis of the cohort of migrants granted non-visitor visas in 2004 and settlement in 2009. Settlement was most commonly achieved via the family route and work (leading to settlement) route without switching categories.
Source: Lorrah Achato, Mike Eaton, and Chris Jones, The Migrant Journey Second Report, Research Report 57, Home Office
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined the political and legal 'construction' of irregular migration across selected member states of the European Union. Regulations that were meant to prevent unwanted migration often had unintended side-effects and instead encouraged irregular migration.
Source: Franck Duvell, 'Paths into irregularity: the legal and political construction of irregular migration', European Journal of Migration and Law, Volume 13 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined whether processes of social exclusion and discrimination could account for migrants' confidence in public institutions in European countries. It was found that the performance of public institutions mattered less to migrants than to the native population, in particular for those who saw themselves as an ethnic minority or members of a group that had faced discrimination.
Source: Antje Rodera and Peter Muhlaua, 'Discrimination, exclusion and immigrants' confidence in public institutions in Europe', European Societies, Volume 13 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined approaches to the regularization of irregular immigrants in European countries.
Source: Albert Kraler, 'Fixing, adjusting, regulating, protecting human rights – the shifting uses of regularisations in the European Union', European Journal of Migration and Law, Volume 13 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
A new book examined how irregular migration systems had developed over time to interact with changing European labour markets, welfare regimes, and immigration policies. It looked at the strategies and mechanisms that allowed illegal immigrants to avoid detection, generate an income, and access necessary services.
Source: Giuseppe Sciortino and Michael Bommes (eds.), Foggy Social Structures: Irregular migration, European labour markets and the welfare state, Amsterdam University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Aug
A briefing paper examined migrants' experiences in, and impacts on, the housing system. The foreign-born population had significantly lower ownership rates (46 per cent in 2010) than the United Kingdom-born population (71 per cent); and it was three times as likely to be in the private rental sector (36 per cent in 2010, compared with 12 per cent). There was little systematic evidence on the impact of immigration on house prices and rents: some evidence suggested that the housing shortage would continue even with zero net migration.
Source: Carlos Vargas-Silva, Migrants and Housing in the UK: Experiences and impacts, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Aug
A paper brought together the available evidence on marriage-related migration and settlement in the United Kingdom.
Source: Katharine Charsley, Nicholas Van Hear, Michaela Benson, and Brooke Storer-Church, Marriage-Related Migration to the UK, Occasional Paper 96, Home Office
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Aug
An article contrasted the intense public and policy concern at the suffering of trafficked children with the relative lack of interest in other ways that migrant children could suffer – in particular, suffering resulting from immigration policy and its enforcement.
Source: Julia O'Connell Davidson, 'Moving children? Child trafficking, child migration, and child rights', Critical Social Policy, Volume 31 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
A paper examined how European Union membership shaped United Kingdom migration policy.
Source: Cathryn Costello, UK Migration Policy and EU Law, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined the relationship between the size of the immigrant population in Europe, how native people perceived this size, and anti-immigrant attitudes. The perceived size of an immigrant population had an impact on anti-immigrant prejudices, but the real size did not.
Source: Zan Strabac, 'It is the eyes and not the size that matter', European Societies, Volume 13 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
A report examined the role of housing associations in supporting neighbourhoods with significant migrant populations.
Source: John Perry, UK Migration: The Leadership Role of Housing Providers, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Aug
A paper examined the gap between the comprehensive set of rights for migrant workers stipulated in international human rights law and the much more limited rights granted by national laws and policies in high- and middle-income countries. Programmes that were designed to admit higher-skilled migrants were more open, and granted more rights, than those targeting lower-skilled migrants. For upper high-income countries, there was evidence that programmes that were more open to admitting migrant workers also imposed greater restrictions on specific migrant rights.
Source: Martin Ruhs, Openness, Skills and Rights: An empirical analysis of labour immigration programmes in 46 high- and middle- income countries, Working Paper 88, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jul
A report examined recent developments in migration movements and policies in developed (OECD) countries. During 2009 migration into OECD countries fell by 7 per cent on average: but migration to the United Kingdom rose by 14 per cent, the largest increase of the 6 countries to experience a rise in migration.
Source: International Migration Outlook 2011, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jul
A report called for broader rights for domestic workers in the European Union in order to counteract the frequent abuse of irregular migrants employed in domestic work.
Source: Migrants in an Irregular Situation Employed in Domestic Work: Fundamental rights challenges for the European Union and its member states, Fundamental Rights Agency (European Commission)
Links: Report | FRA press release
Date: 2011-Jul
A report (and two linked briefing papers) examined the rights of refugees and migrants under equality legislation.
Source: Phil McCarvill, Who s Still Missing? Refugees, migrants and the equality agenda, Equality and Diversity Forum | Barbara Cohen, Refugees, Migrants and the Equality Act 2010: A briefing for public authorities, Equality and Diversity Forum | Refugees in Effective and Active Partnership, Refugees, Migrants and the Equality Act 2010: A briefing for refugee and migrant community organisations, Equality and Diversity Forum
Links: Report | Paper (1) | Paper (2)
Date: 2011-Jul
A report by a committee of MPs said that the coalition government had failed to respond to a recommendation for migration policy to be based on sounder evidence. It criticized the government's dismissal of its own impact assessment of changes to the student visa regime.
Source: Student Visas: Follow-Up, Eleventh Report (Session 2010-12), HC 1445, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Migration Watch UK press release | Guardian report | Times Higher Education report
Date: 2011-Jul
A study identified sectors experiencing labour shortages in the European Union member states, outlined the national strategies for addressing labour market needs with migrant workers from outside the EU, and considered the perceived effectiveness of those strategies.
Source: European Migration Network, Satisfying Labour Demand Through Migration, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jul
A briefing paper examined the immigration rules for migrant domestic workers, and the coalition government's proposals to abolish or restrict their entitlement to visas.
Source: Melanie Gower, Immigration: Migrant Domestic Workers, Standard Note SN/HA/4786, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2011-Jul
A report by a committee of MPs said that the coalition government's policy on student visas risked compromising the high standard of education provided by higher education institutions in Scotland, and threatened the valuable contribution of international students to Scottish society.
Source: The Student Immigration System in Scotland, Fifth Report (Session 2010-12), HC 912, House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report part 1 | Report part 2 | BBC report
Date: 2011-Jul
A briefing paper gave an overview of the key characteristics (age, education, and occupation) and labour market outcomes (employment rates, unemployment rates, and wages) of migrants in the labour market.
Source: Cinzia Rienzo, Characteristics and Outcomes of Migrants in the UK Labour Market, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jul
A report examined progress by European countries in ratifying the international convention designed to protect the rights of migrant workers and their families. It said that the obstacles cited – whether legal, administrative or financial – were not insurmountable, and that ratification was a question of political will at the national level.
Source: Marie d Auchamp, Migrant Workers' Rights in Europe, Regional Office for Europe, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jul
An article examined the factors that influenced 'acculturation' by refugees, and how these factors affected the ability of refugees to integrate. A range of group and individual factors, relating to their experiences in both home and host countries, influenced the acculturation strategies adopted by different refugees. In the existing policy environment many refugees lacked choice about acculturation strategy, were vulnerable to psychosocial stress, and struggled to integrate.
Source: Jenny Phillimore, 'Refugees, acculturation strategies, stress and integration', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 40 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
An article examined the effects of an outcome-oriented performance system on the responsiveness of work providers to the needs of unemployed refugees. An emphasis on short-term job outcomes might conflict with supporting refugees who were 'harder to help', particularly those with English language needs. It might also conflict with supporting refugees to access employment related to their skills and interests, by encouraging providers to focus on placing refugees in 'easy to access', low-skilled, and low-paid jobs.
Source: Isabel Shutes, 'Welfare-to-work and the responsiveness of employment providers to the needs of refugees', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 40 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
A paper examined the occupation-qualification mismatch of immigrants in Europe as compared with the native-born population. Immigrants' mismatch relative to native-born people was 'important and pervasive' across all countries: immigrants were more likely to be both under- and over-educated for the jobs that they performed.
Source: Mariya Aleksynska and Ahmed Tritah, Occupation-Education Mismatch of Immigrant Workers in Europe: Context and policies, Working Paper 2011-16, Centre D'Etudes Prospectives et D'Informations Internationales (Paris)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jul
An article examined the reasons for the recruitment of migrant workers by the adult care sector in England. The main reason was to fill specific staff vacancies, either through direct recruitment of workers from outside the United Kingdom or among those already in the UK. The second reason – more strategic but less common – was a desire to recruit migrants with specific characteristics.
Source: Shereen Hussein, Martin Stevens, and Jill Manthorpe, 'What drives the recruitment of migrant workers to work in social care in England?', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
A briefing paper examined the key characteristics (age, education, and occupation) and labour market outcomes (employment rates, unemployment rates, and wages) of migrant workers. Economic and labour market factors had played a major role in explaining fluctuations and trends in immigration over the previous two decades. Colonial links and networks were also crucial to understanding the composition of immigration flows and the mechanism of migration systems.
Source: Mathias Czaika and Hein de Haas, Determinants of Migration to the UK, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jul
The coalition government published a strategy for supporting the victims of human trafficking into the United Kingdom, and promoting better intelligence and enforcement.
Source: Human Trafficking: The Government s Strategy, Home Office
Links: Strategy | Hansard | Home Office press release | CARE press release | ECPAT press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Jul
The government began consultation on proposals to reform the rules on family migration. Key proposals included: defining more clearly what constituted a genuine and continuing marriage, to help identify sham and forced marriages; introducing a new minimum income threshold for sponsors of partners and dependants; extending the probationary period before partners could apply for settlement from 2 years to 5; and requiring partners and adult dependants aged under 65 to demonstrate that they could understand everyday English when they applied for settlement. A linked research paper brought together previously published statistics, new management information from the UK Border Agency, and additional data and analysis on family migration.
Source: Family Migration: A Consultation, Home Office | Family Migration: Evidence and Analysis, Occasional Paper 94, Home Office
Links: Consultation document | Hansard | Home Office press release | Research paper | JCWI press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Jul
A report examined the number and composition of asylum-seekers in developed (OECD) countries, the political and social reaction to them, and the evolution of policy. A more integrated European Union-wide strategy would better serve the interests both of its citizens and of refugees.
Source: Timothy Hatton, Seeking Asylum: Trends and policies in the OECD, Centre for Economic Policy Research
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jul
A report highlighted persistent patterns of inequality between (on the one hand) migrants and minority-ethnic groups in the labour market and (on the other) the overall majority populations of European Union countries. In particular, migrant and minority-ethnic women faced significant structural disadvantages in the labour market.
Source: Migrants, Minorities and Employment: Exclusion and discrimination in the 27 member states of the European Union – Update 2003-2008, Fundamental Rights Agency (European Commission)
Links: Report | FRA press release
Date: 2011-Jul
A briefing paper summarized significant coalition government statements on its immigration and asylum policies, and the progress that it had made in introducing specific reforms.
Source: Melanie Gower, Immigration and Asylum Policy: The Government's Plans, Standard Note SN/HA/5829, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2011-Jun
The European Union published a statement on migration and asylum issues. It said that there was a need to take forward and intensify work in a number of areas in order to put in place a more long-term sustainable strategy. Control and surveillance of external borders rested with member states which, in performing this function, were also acting in the common interest of all member states. Assistance should continue to be provided to member states in protecting external border sections subject to exceptionally high migratory pressures.
Source: Council Conclusions on Borders, Migration and Asylum: Stocktaking and the way forward, European Union
Links: Statement
Date: 2011-Jun
A paper examined the European Union's approach to co-operation with civil society organizations in relation to migration policy.
Source: Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan, The Role of Civil Society in EU Migration Policy: Perspectives on the European Union s engagement in its neighborhood, Migration Policy Institute
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jun
A paper examined the 'remarkable demographic change' that had occurred in Northern Ireland, with almost 110,000 international migrants estimated to have arrived in Northern Ireland between 2000 and 2009.
Source: Migration in Northern Ireland: A demographic perspective, Research Paper 71/11, Northern Ireland Assembly
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jun
The coalition government said its plans to cut the number of foreign students could cost the public purse £2.4 billion more than they would save. They would cut net migration by 230,000 by 2015.
Source: Reform of the Points Based Student (PBS) Immigration System: Impact Assessment, Home Office
Links: Impact assessment | BBC report
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined public views about granting equal rights to legal immigrants, and citizenship status to second-generation immigrants, in 20 European countries.
Source: Alin Ceobanu and Xavier Escandell, 'Paths to citizenship? Public views on the extension of rights to legal and second-generation immigrants in Europe', British Journal of Sociology, Volume 62 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jun
A new book examined migration policy issues, including: asylum and refugee policy; migration for work and study; family migration; irregular migration; and integration and citizenship.
Source: Sarah Spencer, The Migration Debate, Policy Press
Links: Summary | Compas press release
Date: 2011-Jun
A report by a committee of MPs said that fewer than 1 in 10 of the historic backlog of asylum cases would result in the removal of the applicant from the United Kingdom. Although Ministers would have been unwilling to announce an amnesty for the applicants caught up in this backlog, an amnesty had in practice taken place, at considerable cost to the taxpayer.
Source: The Work of the UK Border Agency (November 2010 – March 2011), Ninth Report (Session 2010-12), HC 929, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Home Office press release | Asylum Aid press release | Labour Party press release | PCS press release | SRC press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Jun
The government began consultation on proposals aimed at breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration. It set out plans to re-classify visas as either 'temporary' or 'permanent', and introduce stricter criteria for those who wanted to stay. Migrants coming to the United Kingdom to work on temporary visas would no longer be able to apply for settlement.
Source: Employment-Related Settlement, Tier 5 and Overseas Domestic Workers: A Consultation, Home Office
Links: Consultation document | Hansard | Home Office press release | Conservative Party press release | BCC press release | Labour Party press release | Migrationwatch UK press release | People Management report
Date: 2011-Jun
A report examined the extent of forced labour among new migrants to Northern Ireland, and outlined a number of recommendations for tackling the problem.
Source: Les Allamby, John Bell, Jennifer Hamilton, Ulf Hansson, Neil Jarman, Michael Potter, and Sorina Toma, Forced Labour in Northern Ireland: Exploiting vulnerability, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Date: 2011-Jun
A paper examined the challenge to social cohesion in European countries posed by immigration and a more diverse population. The welfare state played an important role in cultural and social integration.
Source: Gianni D Amato and Didier Ruedin, Social Cohesion Challenges in Europe, European University Institute (Florence)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jun
A new book examined the lives of refugees (all of them professionals with high qualifications) before and after they arrived in the United Kingdom. It explored how and what the refugees learned, and the strategies they adopted in the process of building viable and respected identities for themselves in a new social and cultural space.
Source: Linda Morrice, Being a Refugee: Learning and identity, Trentham Books
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jun
An article said that workers from the 'A8' countries that joined the European Union in 2004 were the largest group among short-term migrant workers in England and Wales for each year from 2005 to 2009.
Source: Simon Whitworth, Konstantinos Loukas, and Ian McGregor, 'Short-term international migration trends in England and Wales from 2004 to 2009', Population Trends 144, Summer 2011, Office for National Statistics
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Jun
A study examined existing asylum instruments within the European Union regarding the distribution of refugees between member states, the eligibility for protection, the status of protected persons regarding detention and vulnerability, and asylum procedures. It considered the long-term evolution of the common European asylum system, including the accession of the EU to the Geneva Convention.
Source: Marion Jaillard et al., Setting up a Common European Asylum System: Report on the application of existing instruments and proposals for the new system, Directorate General for Internal Policies/European Parliament
Links: Report
Date: 2011-May
A report examined the detention of children for immigration purposes. In a considerable number of cases, it was found that families had been detained when there was little risk of them absconding, their removal was not imminent, and they had not been given a meaningful opportunity to return voluntarily to their countries of origin: indeed, there were often barriers to families returning during the time they were detained, which meant that it was not possible, lawful, or in the children's best interests for the government to forcibly remove them.
Source: Sarah Campbell, Maria Baqueriza, and James Ingram, Last Resort or First Resort? Immigration detention of children in the UK, Bail for Immigration Detainees/Children's Society
Links: Report | Summary | BID press release
Date: 2011-May
A paper examined the impact of the size, skills, and diversity of immigrant populations on the innovativeness of host regions in Europe.
Source: Ceren Ozgen, Peter Nijkamp, and Jacques Poot, Immigration and Innovation in European Regions, Discussion Paper 5676, Institute for the Study of Labor (Bonn)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-May
A report said that expert medical evidence documenting torture was often dismissed or accorded little weight when torture survivors had their asylum applications considered.
Source: Jo Pettitt, Body of Evidence: Treatment of medico-legal reports for survivors of torture in the United Kingdom asylum tribunal, Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture
Links: Report | MFCVT press release
Date: 2011-May
A report examined whether the European Union had developed the appropriate means to achieve harmonization in the area of asylum policy. The most pressing challenge was that of preventing the economic crisis from turning into a protection crisis at the expense of refugee rights.
Source: Vincent Chetail and Celine Bauloz, The European Union and the Challenges of Forced Migration: From economic crisis to protection crisis?, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute (Florence)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-May
A report said that the 'overseas domestic worker' (ODW) visa system was an inexpensive and effective way of protecting migrant domestic workers: but that without this legal channel trafficking of domestic workers via illegal routes could increase.
Source: Mumtaz Lalani, Ending the Abuse: Policies that work to protect migrant domestic workers, Kalayaan
Links: Report | Kalayaan press release
Date: 2011-May
The government published a report on progress made by the 'asylum improvement project', set up to explore new ways to speed up the processing of asylum applications.
Source: Asylum Improvement Project: Report on Progress, UK Border Agency (Home Office)
Links: Report | UKBA press release
Date: 2011-May
A report examined European cities policies and programmes to promote ethnic entrepreneurship, as part of efforts to help migrants integrate and boost local economic development.
Source: Hubert Krieger (ed.), Promoting Ethnic Entrepreneurship in European Cities, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Links: Report
Date: 2011-May
A paper examined the rights of migrants in the United Kingdom, setting out official rationales as to why particular categories of migrant had or had not been granted a particular right. The analysis focused on the rights to healthcare, education, social housing, and family life.
Source: Sarah Spencer and Jason Pobjoy, The Relationship Between Immigration Status and Rights in the UK: Exploring the rationale, Working Paper 86, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-May
A new book examined whether the problematic access of irregular migrants to human rights protection was an issue of implementation, or whether was it due to the inherent characteristics of the concept of human rights. It focused on the situation of irregular migrants in Europe and the United States.
Source: Marie-Benedicte Dembour and Toby Kelly (eds.), Are Human Rights for Migrants? Critical reflections on the status of irregular migrants in Europe and the United States, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-May
The European Commission published a policy statement on migration in the wake of civil unrest in north African countries. It sought to differentiate between economic migrants trying to enter the European Union illegally, refugees, asylum-seekers, and temporarily displaced persons who wished to return to their home countries. It set the objective of a common European approach to asylum-seekers by 2012.
Source: Communication on Migration, European Commission
Links: Statement | European Commission press release | EurActiv report | CEPR paper
Date: 2011-May
A report examined the characteristics of temporary labour migration and circular/repetitive migration patterns of third-country nationals in the United Kingdom, as well as the movement of members from diasporas residing in the UK.
Source: Johanna Wiese and Katharine Thorpe, Temporary and Circular Migration: Empirical evidence, current policy practice and future options in EU member states, UK Border Agency (Home Office)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-May
The coalition government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on the work of the UK Border Agency.
Source: The Work of the UK Border Agency: Government Response to the Committee s 4th Report, Eighth Special Report (Session 2010-12), HC 1027, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Response
Notes: MPs report (January 2011)
Date: 2011-May
The European Court of Justice ruled that European Union citizens who had never exercised their right of free movement could not invoke EU citizenship to regularize the residence of their non-EU spouse. Where such persons were not deprived of their right to move and reside within the territory of the member states, their situation had no connexion with EU law.
Source: Shirley McCarthy v Secretary of State for the Home Department, European Court of Justice
Links: Judgement | ECJ press release
Date: 2011-May
A report examined the 'detained fast track' process, under which asylum-seekers were detained throughout the asylum process. It described the system as 'outdated, unfair and unnecessary'.
Source: Tamsin Alger and Jerome Phelps, Fast Track to Despair: The unnecessary detention of asylum-seekers, Detention Action
Links: Report | Morning Star report
Date: 2011-May
A report identified ways for European Union countries to use immigration policy to deal with the challenges brought about by an ageing population, rapid technological change, and economic restructuring. It outlined an approach to immigration growth, and examined short- and long-term trends in how the immigration system supported economic growth and prosperity.
Source: Koen Jonkers, Immigration and European Innovation Systems: Challenges for economic growth and prosperity, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
Links: Report
Date: 2011-May
An article examined the reasons behind the introduction of language and knowledge tests for applicants for a permanent residence permit or long-term resident status in a sample of European Union member states (including the United Kingdom). It also looked at the effects of the tests on the integration process of third-country nationals admitted for non-temporary stay.
Source: Anita Bocker and Tineke Strik, 'Language and knowledge tests for permanent residence rights: help or hindrance for integration?', European Journal of Migration and Law, Volume 13 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-May
A briefing paper examined the situation of people with temporary immigration status who suffered domestic violence.
Source: Melanie Gower, Immigration: Domestic Violence, Standard Note SN/HA/4644, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2011-May
A study examined the scope and implications of Article 80 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, relating to the principle of solidarity in the field of border checks, asylum, and immigration. It outlined some practical solutions for the implementation of new solidarity mechanisms in the field of European Union immigration and asylum policies.
Source: Dirk Vanheule, Joanne van Selm, and Christina Boswell, The Implementation of Article 80 TFEU on the Principle of Solidarity and Fair Sharing of Responsibility, Including Its Financial Implications, Between the Member States in the Field of Border Checks, Asylum and Immigration, Directorate General for Internal Policies/European Parliament
Links: Report
Date: 2011-May
A paper examined patterns of co-operation between European Union member states in the area of short-stay visa policy. It identified 'regional imagined communities' – co-operation based on the existence of shared identities owing to regional commonalities in language and state-building histories.
Source: Mogens Hobolth, European Visa Cooperation: Interest politics and regional imagined communities, LEQS Paper 34, European Institute (London School of Economics)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-May
A report by a committee of MPs said that the UK Border Agency had a 'lack of control' over the system used by multinational companies to bring their own foreign staff into the United Kingdom, and had not done enough to ensure that an estimated 181,000 migrant workers and students whose visas had expired since December 2008 had actually left the country.
Source: Immigration: The Points Based System – Work Routes, Thirty-fourth Report (Session 2010-12), HC 913, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Home Office press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-May
The High Court ruled that the immigration detention of a mother, resulting in her separation from her three children, was unlawful. The children were in separate foster care arrangements, isolated from one other and from their mother. The Home Office knew that it could not properly assess the best interests of the children (in respect of a proposed deportation) without gathering proper information including parenting assessments: these could not be obtained while the mother was in detention.
Source: NXT, R (on the application of) & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department, High Court 15 April 2011
Links: Judgement | BIDUK press release
Date: 2011-Apr
A think-tank report examined how to reduce irregular immigration. It said that major reductions in illegal immigration were unachievable: but it called for co-operation from migrant support groups to return people home. 'Irregulars' were vulnerable to exploitation and undermined the credibility of the immigration system.
Source: Tim Finch with Myriam Cherti, No Easy Options: Irregular immigration in the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research
Links: Report | IRR press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Apr
An article examined the 'structure of selection' that determined migrants' welfare rights. Migrants' welfare rights were stratified by, and dependent on, immigration status. Welfare policies needed to reclaim independence from the immigration policies to which they had became tied.
Source: Helen Bolderson, 'The ethics of welfare provision for migrants: a case for equal treatment and the repositioning of welfare', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 40 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Apr
A paper examined the 'incoherencies' in European Union labour immigration policies, and the challenges of ensuring a global rights-based approach to migration.
Source: Sergio Carrera, Ana s Faure Atger, Elspeth Guild, and Dora Kostakopoulou, Labour Immigration Policy in the EU: A renewed agenda for Europe 2020, Policy Brief 240, Centre for European Policy Studies (Brussels)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Apr
An article said that European countries' policies of accelerated removal were leading to the erosion of the legal rights of migrants and failed asylum-seekers; and that force was being used more often in their deportations.
Source: Liz Fekete, 'Accelerated removals: the human cost of EU deportation policies', Race and Class, Volume 52 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Apr
A new book examined issues relating to migration, integration, social cohesion, and 'Britishness'. Religion, in the form of aspects of Muslim behaviour, was becoming a boundary of Britishness at a time when significant sections of the ethnic majority displayed scepticism about multiculturalism.
Source: Tariq Modood and John Salt (eds.), Global Migration, Ethnicity and Britishness, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary | Bristol University press release
Date: 2011-Apr
An article (drawing on British panel data) said that dual-earner couples put roughly equal weights on each partner's expected wage gains when deciding to migrate.
Source: Birgitta Rabe, 'Dual-earner migration: earnings gains, employment, and self-selection', Journal of Population Economics, Volume 24 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Apr
A paper examined the macro-economic impact on both host and home countries of the increased labour mobility that had resulted from the European Union enlargements in 2004 and 2007. The macro-economic impact on the EU as a whole was expected to be negligible, possibly raising the long-run level of potential output by about 0.1 per cent.
Source: Tatiana Fic, Dawn Holland, and Pawel Paluchowski, Labour Mobility Within the EU: The impact of enlargement and the functioning of the transitional arrangements, Discussion Paper 379, National Institute for Economic and Social Research
Links: Discussion paper | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2011-Apr
A report examined examples of good practice in collaboration between the police, social workers, and immigrants in five European countries (including the United Kingdom).
Source: Elli Heikkila, Manon Danker, Emilio Jose Gomez Ciriano, Hugh McLaughlin, and Henny Reubsaet (eds.), Working Together for Better Integration: Immigrants, police and social work, Institute of Migration (Turku, Finland)
Date: 2011-Apr
A report examined ten 'important problems' in the evidence base on immigration and migrants in the United Kingdom.
Source: Scott Blinder, Martin Ruhs, and Carlos Vargas-Silva, Top Ten Problems in the Evidence Base for Public Debate and Policy-Making on Immigration in the UK, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Report | Oxford University press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-Apr
A paper examined whether temporary and circular migration policies were part of the solution to sustaining Europe's economic and social models as its societies aged.
Source: Sheena McLoughlin and Rainer Munz, with Rudolf Bunte, Goran Hultin, Wolfgang Muller and Ronald Skeldon, Temporary and Circular Migration: Opportunities and Challenges, Working Paper 35, European Policy Centre
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Mar
A new book examined the issues of security and insecurity raised by migration for European states, their citizens, and migrants themselves.
Source: Gabriella Lazaridis (ed.), Security, Insecurity and Migration in Europe, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Mar
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on its proposed immigration cap. It said that the cap would reduce the overall number of people coming to Britain through the economic routes: but it also accepted that the reductions in net migration that it was seeking could not be achieved by tackling the economic migration routes alone.
Source: Immigration Cap: Government Response to the Committee's First Report, Fifth Special Report (Session 2010-11), HC 717, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Response
Notes: MPs report (November 2010)
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the impact of international migration on rural economies in the United Kingdom. There was a substantial increase in the size of the migrant population in rural areas in the four years before the economic recession, driven by a strong demand for migrant labour from particular industries. Immigration had had a significant but small negative impact on the wages of UK workers at the bottom of the occupational distribution. Challenges from immigration included pressure on existing local services and integration within local communities.
Source: Heather Wells and Paula Lucci, International Migration and Rural Economies, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the evidence on the likely impact of an economic downturn on both international migration and migration in different parts of the United Kingdom, with a particular focus on migrants from the 'A8' countries (that joined the European Union in 2004). For 83 per cent of A8 migrants, the main motivation for coming to the UK was to work and earn money.
Source: Anne Green, Impact of Economic Downturn and Migration, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined the ethical dimensions of migrant welfare. It considered the extent to which differential forms of social citizenship might be associated with processes of civic stratification; and the 'ambiguous' nature of the economic, social, and cultural rights components of the international human rights framework.
Source: Hartley Dean, 'The ethics of migrant welfare', Ethics and Social Welfare, Volume 5 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A new book examined how European societies could more effectively promote the active engagement of immigrants and their children in political and civic life.
Source: Laura Morales and Marco Giugni (eds.), Social Capital, Political Participation and Migration in Europe: Making multicultural democracy work?, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Mar
A report by a committee of MPs said that the government's proposals to reform the student immigration system could have serious unintended consequences. It cautioned the government against introducing measures that could damage the educational export sector.
Source: Student Visas, Seventh Report (Session 2010-11), HC 773, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | 1994 Group press release | RSS press release | Russell Group press release | UCU press release | UUK press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Mar
A briefing paper examined government policy towards migrants after their arrival in the United Kingdom. It covered the history and goals of policy intervention, what was meant by 'integration', and some of the issues underlying policy debates.
Source: Sarah Spencer, Integration, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Mar
The government announced (following consultation) that the rules for student visas would be tightened, in order to cut their number by up to 80,000 per year – about one-quarter of the existing total.
Source: Press release 22 March 2011, Home Office
Links: Home Office press release | AoC press release | Million+ press release | REC press release | Russell Group press release | UCU press release | Universities UK press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2011-Mar
An audit report said that the points-based immigration system introduced in 2008 was for the most part designed well, and provided an adaptable means of meeting work-related immigration policy objectives. But the system was not yet delivering its full potential for value for money. Its processes and systems were not efficient, and customer service could be improved. The Border Agency could also provide 'little assurance' that it was effectively managing the risk of non-compliance with immigration rules by migrants and their sponsors.
Source: Immigration: The Points Based System – Work Routes, HC 819 (Session 2010-11), National Audit Office, TSO
Links: Report | NAO press release | Home Office press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Public Finance report
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the dispersion of migrant pupils in the United Kingdom. The number of immigrant pupils in schools had increased significantly in the 4-year period to 2007-08. Pupils of African origin tended to be concentrated in inner London and other major metropolitan areas. Eastern European and other European pupils who had arrived since 2003 tended to be found in the more remote rural areas.
Source: Ludi Simpson, Stephen Jivraj, and Naomi Marquis, Measuring Internal and International Migration from the National Pupil Database, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
A briefing paper examined the conceptual and practical challenges in linking the admission of new migrant workers to the needs of the domestic labour market and economy.
Source: Martin Ruhs and Bridget Anderson, Responding to Employers: Labour Shortages and Immigration Policy, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined the policy adopted by some European Union member states of requiring immigrants from outside the EU to participate in language or integration courses after arrival, or to pass a language test as a condition for a visa for family reunification.
Source: Kees Groenendijk, 'Pre-departure integration strategies in the European Union: integration or immigration policy?', European Journal of Migration and Law, Volume 13 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A new book examined how asylum-seekers experienced the dispersal system, and the impact it had on their lives.
Source: Patricia Hynes, The Dispersal and Social Exclusion of Asylum Seekers: Between liminality and belonging, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined a range of measures taken by non-governmental organizations and trade unions aimed at countering trafficking and forced labour in Europe.
Source: Klara Skrivankova and Jeroen Beirnaert, Never Work Alone: Trade unions and NGOs joining forces to combat forced labour and trafficking in Europe, International Trade Union Confederation/Anti-Slavery International
Links: Report | ITUC press release
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the outcomes for immigrant integration programmes in European Union countries. Some countries were using integration funding as a stop-gap measure for more vulnerable migrant populations or even maintaining their integration objectives in the face of severe economic hardship (such as Portugal and Sweden): but others were using the austerity measures to cut integration funding altogether (such as in the Netherlands and, to some extent, the United Kingdom).
Source: Elizabeth Collett, Immigrant Integration in Europe in a Time of Austerity, Transatlantic Council on Migration
Links: Report | TCM press release
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the extent of support given by social services departments to people with 'no recourse to public funds'. There had been a dramatic increase in the numbers of supported children and family cases.
Source: Social Services Support to People with No Recourse to Public Funds: A National Picture, No Recourse to Public Funds Network
Links: Report
Notes: No recourse to public funds is a condition imposed by the immigration authorities on a person who is subject to immigration control, giving them no entitlement to certain welfare benefits or public housing.
Date: 2011-Mar
A briefing paper examined some of the key questions underlying the United Kingdom's asylum policy, focusing on the challenges and tensions between protecting human rights and ensuring that immigration controls were not undermined.
Source: Matthew Gibney, Asylum Policy, Migration Observatory (University of Oxford)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Mar
A journal issue examined the naturalization of immigrant populations in developed countries. Separate chapters considered: the legal framework on economic migration and naturalization in the United Kingdom, highlighting recent trends in policies and citizenship take-up; the available evidence on immigrants' take-up of host country citizenship, and the extent to which this affected their socio-economic outcomes, across European Union countries; integration measures and/or requirements imposed on non-EU nationals in EU countries; and the relationship between the citizenship status of immigrants in western Europe and their social integration.
Source: Naturalisation: A Passport for the Better Integration of Immigrants?, OECD Social Issues/Migration/Health, Volume 2011 Number 4
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the role of migrant and refugee community organizations in providing social protection, accelerating integration, and improving lives for minority communities in London.
Source: Kristina Hemon, Ruth Grove-White, and Louisa Anderson, Migrant Communities and the Big Society : Struggling to belong in the age of austerity, Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
The government announced new visa rules designed to give extra incentives to wealthy foreign entrepreneurs and investors. Those who invested £5 million would be allowed to settle after 3 years (instead of 5) and those investing £10 million or more would be allowed to settle after 2 years.
Source: Changes to Tier 1 of the Points Based System: Statement of policy, Home Office
Links: Statement | Hansard | Home Office press release
Date: 2011-Mar
The Supreme Court ruled that in cases where a parent was threatened with deportation, the best interests of their child or children needed to be taken into account, particularly when the children were citizens by virtue of being born in the United Kingdom.
Source: ZH (Tanzania) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, UKSC 4 (2011), United Kingdom Supreme Court
Links: Judgement | Supreme Court press release | Children & Young People Now report | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2011-Feb
A study examined the situation faced by an estimated 280,000 destitute refused asylum-seekers, highlighting the often desperate circumstances in which many found themselves living.
Source: Heaven Crawley, Joanne Hemmings, and Neil Price, Coping with Destitution: Survival and livelihood strategies of refused asylum seekers living in the UK, Oxfam GB
Links: Report | Oxfam press release | Childrens Society press release | BBC report | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2011-Feb
A report examined the issues surrounding international labour migration, focusing on migration from the developing world to European Union member states. It made a set of recommendations to governments and civil society organizations on how to improve migrants' rights.
Source: International Migration: The Search for Decent Work, SOLIDAR
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Feb
A paper examined an index used to establish the extent to which equality principles were being applied to immigrants to 31 countries in Europe and North America.
Source: Jan Niessen, Using MIPEX for Improving Integration Policies, Migration Policy Group
Date: 2011-Feb
A collection of essays sought to define a 'new progressive migration policy'. Immigration had been an issue on which the centre-left had for some time failed to create a coherent policy or a positive narrative.
Source: Nick Johnson (ed.), Migration: Where Next? Developing a new progressive immigration policy, Smith Institute
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Feb
An article examined family migration in Europe, focusing on the experiences of undocumented migrants in seven European countries. Greater protection (in terms of status) and encouragement (in terms of involvement in the civic society) were needed for migrant families in order to enable integration and combat the disadvantage and discrimination experienced by this group.
Source: Anna Paraskevopoulou, 'Undocumented worker transitions: family migration', International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Volume 31 Issue 1/2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Feb
A report (by a group opposed to large-scale immigration) examined the record of the Labour governments (1997-2010) on immigration. After 1997 the 'floodgates' had been opened – with the result that over 3 million migrants had come to the United Kingdom and stayed here, plus a further 1 million ('perhaps') who had come and stayed illegally.
Source: Mass Immigration: Labour's enduring legacy to Britain, MigrationwatchUK
Links: Report | MigrationwatchUK press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A briefing paper examined the risk of poverty and deprivation among the migrant population of the European Union, and the trends in poverty rates between 2004 and 2007. It also explored the definition of social exclusion in the EU 2020 strategy, including an analysis of the overlap between the measures of poverty, deprivation, and low work-intensity.
Source: Orsolya Lelkes and Eszter Zolyomi, Poverty and Social Exclusion of Migrants in the European Union, European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (Vienna)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Feb
The government announced that non-European Union workers earning more than £150,000 per year were to be excluded from its cap on immigrant numbers.
Source: Press release 16 February 2011, Home Office
Links: Home Office press release | BCC press release | CBI press release | REC press release | Russell Group press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Feb
An employers' organization identified three priorities that were needed to create more effective, lower-cost immigration services: an explicit commitment by the government to competition, with a right to bid and transparency for all providers; steps to ensure that providers of all sizes and all sectors were encouraged to enter the market; and contracting for outcomes – with payment by results.
Source: Bordering on Success: Transforming immigration services, Confederation of British Industry
Links: Link removed by CBI
Date: 2011-Feb
A paper examined whether growing ethnic diversity was good for urban economies. Average labour market impacts appeared to be neutral: the effects might be positive for United Kingdom-born workers' productivity and wages, or negative in respect of employment opportunities.
Source: Max Nathan, The Long Term Impacts of Migration in British Cities: Diversity, wages, employment and prices, Discussion Paper 67, Spatial Economics Research Centre (London School of Economics)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Feb
A report said that although refugees living in Scotland wanted to belong and identify with Britain, they were being prevented from doing so. Barriers to applying for citizenship including prohibitively high costs, and lack of information.
Source: Emma Stewart and Gareth Mulvey, Becoming British Citizens? Experiences and opinions of refugees living in Scotland, Scottish Refugee Council
Links: Report | SRC press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A report reviewed available data on the characteristics of immigrants to, and emigrants from, Scotland; and on migrant decision-making and intentions.
Source: Franca Eirich, Characteristics and Intentions of Immigrants to and Emigrants from Scotland: Review of existing evidence, Scottish Government
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Feb
A report said that young refugees often faced barriers to education, including confusion over financial support and discriminatory and inconsistent schools admissions policies.
Source: Sarah Walker, Something to Smile About: Promoting and supporting the educational and recreational needs of refugee children, Refugee Council
Links: Summary | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2011-Feb
A paper examined the relationship between ethnic identity and labour market outcomes for non-European Union immigrants in Europe, drawing on the European Social Survey. There was a penalty to be paid for immigrants with a strong identity: first-generation immigrants were about 17 per cent less likely to be employed than 'native' Europeans, whereas second-generation immigrants had a probability of being employed that was not statistically different.
Source: Alberto Bisin, Eleonora Patacchini, Thierry Verdier, and Yves Zenou, Ethnic Identity and Labor-Market Outcomes of Immigrants in Europe, Discussion Paper 03/11, Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (University College London)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Feb
A report highlighted the difficulties and challenges faced by families who moved to the United Kingdom. Local services such as English language courses played a fundamental role in helping families new to the UK to become capable, confident members of society, and to contribute to the country's economic recovery.
Source: Families New to the UK: Confident families in cohesive communities, 4Children
Links: Report | 4Children press release
Date: 2011-Feb
The children's watchdog for England examined the experiences of unaccompanied children arriving at United Kingdom border controls. It said that the government should review the practice (in line with European Union policy) of returning children to the country in which they were first fingerprinted, rather than dealing with their asylum claim in the UK. The UK Border Agency should ensure that children were never interviewed about matters other than basic personal details without an appropriate adult being present.
Source: Adrian Matthews, Landing in Kent: The experience of unaccompanied children arriving in the UK, Office of the Children's Commissioner
Links: Report | OCC press release | Refugee Council press release | Children & Young People Now report
Date: 2011-Feb
An article introduced the concept of 'xenoracism' in social work with asylum-seekers. Social work continued to rely on outdated views and old-fashioned definitions of racism – despite the fact that 'exclusionary discourses' had since moved on.
Source: Shepard Masocha and Murray Simpson, 'Xenoracism: towards a critical understanding of the construction of asylum seekers and its implications for social work practice', Practice: Social Work in Action, Volume 23 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Feb
A think-tank report said that tens of thousands of genuine international students were at risk of being turned away from universities and colleges, costing the United Kingdom economy billions of pounds, in pursuit of an artificial target for cutting immigration.
Source: Sarah Mulley and Alice Sachrajda, Student Migration in the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research
Links: Report | IPPR press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A report said that there was a 'clear need and opportunity' for the United Kingdom to opt into the European Union Anti-Trafficking Directive, as soon as it had completed its passage through European institutions in 2011.
Source: EU Directive on Human Trafficking: Why the UK Government Should Opt-In, CARE
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Feb
A briefing paper summarized recent government statements about its intentions for immigration and asylum policy, and specific changes that it had already introduced. Many of the government's proposals (particularly those aimed at minimizing abuse) were in a similar vein to measures adopted by Labour in the run-up to the 2010 general election: those on numerical limits for economic migrants, and for a border police force, were notable differences.
Source: Melanie Gower, Immigration and Asylum Policy: The Coalition Government's Plans, Standard Note SN/HA/5829, House of Commons Library
Links: Briefing paper
Date: 2011-Jan
A new book examined labour migration in Europe, including a case study of policy change in the United Kingdom.
Source: Alex Balch, Managing Labour Migration in Europe: Ideas, knowledge and policy change, Manchester University Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jan
A new book examined the debate on migration and integration policies in the enlarged European Union and its member states.
Source: Emma Carmel, Alfio Cerami, and Theodoros Papadopoulos, Migration and Welfare in the new Europe: Social protection and the challenges of integration, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jan
A new book examined the procedure and determination of asylum appeals by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.
Source: Robert Thomas, Administrative Justice and Asylum Appeals: A study of tribunal adjudication, Hart Publishing
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jan
A report by a committee of MPs said that at least 61,000 applications for asylum (about 1 in 7 of the total backlog of cases) would eventually be concluded on the basis that the UK Border Agency had been completely unable to trace what had happened to the applicant.
Source: The Work of the UK Border Agency, Fourth Report (Session 2010-11), HC 587, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Home Office press release | Refugee Council press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the labour market and social exclusion risks of immigrants and ethnic minorities (especially Roma people) within the European Union. It presented an overview of the latest policies on immigration and ethnic minorities, and described and commented on some ongoing debates on the topic.
Source: Simo Mannila, Vera Messing, Hans-Peter van den Broek, and Zsuzsanna Vidra, Immigrants and Ethnic Minorities: European Country Cases and Debates, National Institute for Health and Welfare (Finland)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
The report was published of a seminar on the ways in which immigration admissions policies could be improved in order to gain public trust.
Source: Performance Politics: Building Public Confidence in Immigration Policy, Policy Network
Links: Report | Policy Network press release
Date: 2011-Jan
A report said that women were too often refused asylum on grounds that were arbitrary and subjective, and that demonstrated limited awareness of the United Kingdom's legal obligations under the United Nations Refugee Convention.
Source: Helen Muggeridge and Chen Maman, Unsustainable: The quality of initial decision-making in women's asylum claims, Asylum Aid
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the experiences of 'undocumented' migrants. It said that it was inhumane to leave large numbers of people in a state of constant uncertainty, and (in many cases) extreme poverty. It was also counter-productive to keep them excluded from mainstream society even though they were keen to contribute.
Source: Ruth Valentine Hope Costs Nothing: The lives of undocumented migrants in the UK, Migrant Resources Centre
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
A paper said that the European Union lacked a consistent strategy to address its need for skilled migrants – and that it was paralyzed by the notion of 'fortress' Europe.
Source: Martin Kahanec and Klaus Zimmermann, High-Skilled Immigration Policy in Europe, Discussion Paper 1096, German Institute for Economic Research
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the plight of 'undocumented' migrant workers. It described their 'institutionalised exploitation' and their powerlessness to improve their working conditions or pay.
Source: Jon Burnett and David Whyte, The Wages of Fear: Risk, safety and undocumented work, Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers/University of Liverpool
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
A collection of journal articles examined the issues of immigration, diversity, and social cohesion within Europe.
Source: Ethnicities, Volume 10 Issue 4
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined experiences of the new points-based immigration system (introduced in February 2008). Overall satisfaction with the system was high among applicants and sponsors.
Source: Users' Views of the Points-Based System, Research Report 49, Home Office
Date: 2011-Jan
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Belgium should not have deported an asylum-seeker to Greece under a European Union mechanism known as 'Dublin II'. Belgium and Greece had violated articles 3 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which dealt with the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the right to an effective remedy.
Source: M.S.S. v Belgium and Greece, European Court of Human Rights
Links: Judgement | Council of Europe press release | European Commission press release | ECRE press release
Notes: This was the Court's first judgment on the Dublin II regulation, under which European Union member states are allowed to deport asylum-seekers to the member state that they entered first, and where they are then supposed to have their asylum case heard.
Date: 2011-Jan