Migration Matters #35
India-Canada Diplomatic Crisis, Immigrant Students in the US, Illegal Migration Act in the UK, India-Taiwan MoU, Deadliest Route for Migration, Green Border, and More!
Dear Reader,
We bring you the most exciting and insightful trends from the world of migration - the stories that matter, the events that made headlines and exciting resources you can check out. Don’t forget to check out our Good Finds section for some exciting recs!
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Must Read
India-Canada Diplomatic Crisis
Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have deteriorated following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national and chief of the banned outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) in India. In response, Trudeau's government expelled a senior Indian diplomat, prompting India to expel a Canadian diplomat and suspend visa services across Canada. This crisis, rooted in historical tensions over the Khalistan issue, has had far-reaching consequences, including disruptions to trade relations and concerns among the significant Indian diaspora in Canada. Furthermore, India also expelled a Canadian diplomat and suspended visas for Canadians due to security threats, resulting in strained relations between the two countries, despite their historical ties and close connections.
Immigrant-Origin Students in the U.S. Colleges
In their latest issue brief, the Migration Policy Institute explored how enrollment trends in U.S. colleges and universities fluctuated over the past two decades, influenced by factors such as demographics, the economy, and perceptions of the value of higher education. The brief found that between 2000 and 2011, total enrollment increased by 37%, but it declined by 11% from 2011 to 2021. The post-2011 decline was partially offset by a significant increase in college enrollment among immigrant-origin students — those born abroad or in the U.S. to immigrant parents. It also found that immigrant-origin students accounted for 79% of the increase in total U.S. college students from 2000 to 2021.
Impact of the Illegal Migration Act, UK
The impact of the Illegal Migration Act in the UK is the focus of a paper issued by the Refugee Council, analysing data published by the UK Home Office in September. The analysis reveals that the majority, 54% of those crossing the English Channel originate from just five countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Eritrea, Syria, and Sudan. Furthermore, it highlights that most individuals making this journey in small boats are refugees who would be recognized as such if their claims were processed by the Home Office. However, the newly enacted Illegal Migration Act will prevent these refugees from having their applications considered in the UK, potentially leaving thousands in a state of permanent uncertainty. According to the paper, more than 27,000 refugees crossing the English Channel will be denied refugee status as a result.
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India
The West Bengal government announced its plans to establish training centres in every district of the state to provide skill development opportunities for migrant labourers in an effort to help migrant workers settle in West Bengal for employment and reduce the need for them to seek work in other regions. These training centres will offer certification in trades such as masonry, carpentry, and house painting, as well as provide the option to learn spoken English and basic computer skills. The government intends to implement this training program once it has an official database of registered migrant workers..
India and Taiwan are finalising an agreement on migration and mobility to address Taiwan's labour shortage in various sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and more. The MoU comes as both countries seek to strengthen their trade ties, with two-way trade having grown significantly in recent years. Taiwan faces a labour shortage in key areas, and India's northeastern states are being considered as a source of workers. While India and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, they maintain representative offices in each other's capitals, facilitating cooperation in various fields.
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the deadline for the Manipur government to collect biometric and biographic data of undocumented migrants until March 31, 2024, citing ongoing ethnic tensions in the region.The initial deadline was set for September 30, 2023. Mizoram, on the other hand, has refused to comply with the Indian government's directive to collect biometric details of over 30,000 Myanmar nationals, including MPs and MLAs, who have sought shelter in the state since Myanmar's military crackdown on pro-democracy activists in 2021. The decision was made by the state Cabinet, citing concerns that collecting biometric and biographic data could lead to discrimination.
The Supreme Court of India is set to begin hearings regarding the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act on October 17. This provision, inserted as part of the Assam Accord, an agreement between the All Assam Students Union and the Government of India in 1985, deals with granting citizenship to migrants from Bangladesh who arrived in India before March 25, 1971. A five-judge Constitution bench will hear the case, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and address concerns raised by several parties about the constitutionality and discriminatory nature of Section 6A.
Global
The US-Mexico border is the world’s deadliest land route for migration: According to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Missing Migrant Project, the US-Mexico border stands as the deadliest land route for migration worldwide. In 2022, the Americas reported 686 deaths and disappearances of migrants, with half of these occurring on the US-Mexico border. The IOM highlights a rising death toll and heightened risks for migrants across the region, particularly in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. Though there was a 6% decrease in deaths from the previous year, unreported cases suggest the actual figures may be even higher. Additionally, the report reveals a disturbing trend of increased deaths along migration routes in the Caribbean, with 350 documented in 2022, compared to 245 in 2021 and fewer than 170 in all previous years. The highest number of migrant deaths in the Caribbean involves individuals from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba.
Leaders from climate-vulnerable nations assert that the era of climate migration has arrived. A report by InsideClimateNews reveals that in addition to internal migrations, international migrants are increasingly seeking work and refuge in the United States and Europe. Tuvalu, an island nation in the South Pacific with an average elevation of just 2 metres above sea level, is already facing threats from rising waters. Countries like Bangladesh and Fiji have adaptation measures but face limitations in absorbing climate migrants due to their geographical constraints. Their leaders, speaking during a UN Climate Summit, emphasised the need for new international agreements and government policies to prepare for migration flows. They also stressed the importance of emissions reduction and readiness for a fundamentally changed world map.
According to the UN, over 2,500 migrants perished attempting the perilous Mediterranean Sea journey to Europe, marking a two-thirds increase from the previous year. Among the 100,000 migrants reaching Europe this year, over 45,000 came from Libya, and many face danger even before reaching the sea while travelling from sub-Saharan to North African regions. Italy received the majority of migrants, seeing an 83% increase by June's end compared to the previous year. The UN urged nations to address the root causes of migration, enhance search-and-rescue operations, and improve the prosecution of smugglers and traffickers.
EU member states failed to agree on changes to the bloc's migration laws during a summit of interior ministers in Brussels. The proposed changes aimed to clarify asylum procedures, screening processes, border registrations, and the creation of a relocation package to support frontline states like Italy and Greece in processing migrants. Disagreements between Germany and Italy, particularly regarding human rights guarantees for migrants in detention centres and the role of NGOs in facilitating migrant arrivals, prevented an agreement.
Good Finds
"Green Border," an award-winning film at the Venice Film Festival, unfolds during a 2021 migration crisis between EU member Poland and its non-EU neighbour, Belarus. The narrative centres on a Syrian family striving to journey from Belarus to Poland and eventually Sweden, navigating the turbulent political landscape between the EU and Belarus. Polish director Agnieszka Holland artfully portrays this global humanitarian crisis, although the film sparked controversy, drawing objections from the Polish government.
"Solito" by Javier Zamora is a gripping memoir that traces nine-year-old Zamora's perilous solo journey from El Salvador to California in the early summer heat. It delves into his life in El Salvador, his quest to reunite with his parents in the United States, and the harrowing encounters with soldiers and border patrol along the way. Amidst the struggles, it highlights the kindness of strangers. The book leaves readers with a profound understanding and a call for systemic change in the realm of migration and the migrant experience.
Thank you, we will see you again next month!
Best Wishes,
The IMN Team
Research and Drafting: Mihika Samant and Lakshmi Sivadas
Editorial Support: Pooja Bhatia
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