Migration Matters #39
Telangana’s Reintegration Policy, Canada's Cap on International Students, Free Movement Regime Policy with Myanmar, Survey on Higher Education, EU's Migration Management Project, Film on Immigration!
Dear Reader,
We are excited to bring you yet another exciting edition of Migration Matters. Expect nothing but the most relevant and insightful trends from the world of migration - the stories that matter, the events that made headlines and exciting resources you can check out. As always, don’t forget to check out our Good Finds section for some hidden gems!
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Must Read
Telangana’s Reintegration Policy
Telangana is set to become the first state in India to formulate a policy for the reintegration of returning international migrants. The state's labour department is in collaboration with organisations such as the International Labour Organization and UN Women to establish resource centres. The focus is on reskilling migrants, particularly those from districts like Nizamabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and Jagtial, who typically engage in blue-collar jobs. The policy aims to provide technical training, reskilling, access to loans, and entrepreneurial support to facilitate their successful reintegration into Telangana's labour market.
Canada Announces Caps on International Students
Canada has implemented a two-year cap on new study permits for international students, with a projected 35% decrease in approvals for 2024 from 2023. The cap, aimed at addressing housing, healthcare, and educational quality concerns, calls for a "provincial attestation" letter for applications. The suspension of processing new study permit applications will impact undergraduate, college, and long-term language students but exempt K-12, master's, and doctoral applicants. Under the new system, provinces will receive cap allocations proportionate to their populations. Processing of visas will continue for applications exempt from the cap and applications submitted before January 22, 2024. The impact of the restrictions on Indian students, who constituted 41% of permits granted in 2022, has the potential to heighten competition and create challenges among students seeking higher education while also benefiting Indian institutions.
Report on the Link between Disaster Displacement and Migration Intentions
The European Commission’s Job Research Centre, in its latest report, found that in less-developed regions, higher anticipated risks of future environmental disasters decrease the desire to migrate internationally. However, in least-developed regions, such anticipation increases efforts to plan for international migration among those wishing to migrate. The analysis emphasises the complexity of the environment-migration nexus, the impact of past environmental exposure, and the need for targeted policies in less- and least-developed countries to address displacement and environmental mobility.
India
The rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India are expected to be notified before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, according to a Home Ministry official. The CAA, passed in December 2019, aims to provide citizenship to undocumented individuals from six non-Muslim communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The Act, not yet implemented, reduces the residency requirement for citizenship from 11 to 6 years for applicants from these communities. The possibility of extending the 2014 cut-off date is also being discussed.
The Indian government is considering terminating the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar to address concerns about illegal migration, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling. The FMR policy, initiated in 2018 as part of India's Act East policy, allows individuals near the India-Myanmar border to travel 16 km into each other's territories without a visa. Officials plan to install fencing along the border over the next four-and-a-half years and require individuals to obtain entry visas. The move aims to prevent misuse of the FMR by insurgent groups and curb the inflow of ‘illegal immigrants and illegal activities’.
Rohingya refugees filed a PIL against Facebook in the Delhi High Court, citing 39 posts and comments promoting violence and hate speech against Rohingyas. The plea seeks action against Facebook India, urging the platform to cease algorithms that amplify hateful content. The court reserved judgment, expressing concerns about pre-publication censorship. The PIL calls for community standards enforcement, suspension of listed accounts, and trained human moderators for context analysis. Facebook argued changing algorithms sets a dangerous precedent. The court emphasised existing grievance redressal mechanisms, advising petitioners to use them, and highlighted the PIL's focus on pre-publication censorship.
The latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report was released by the Union Ministry of Education in New Delhi in January 2024. It reveals a significant decline of at least one lakh students in the colleges and universities of Punjab over the past five years, primarily due to the mass migration of youths to countries like Canada and Australia. Punjab's Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) dropped to 27.4, below the national average of 28.4. The number of students studying in Punjab across various levels has shown a slight improvement in 2021-22 compared to the previous year, suggesting a potential slowdown in migration. The enrollment decline is attributed to youths seeking better opportunities abroad. The report's findings become especially significant in light of Canada's recently announced cap on international students.
Global
The European Union is set to provide €87 million to Egypt for a migration management project in 2024. The funds, part of a larger initiative started in 2022, may increase to €110 million after the EU-Egypt Association Council meeting. The project focuses on enhancing the operational capacity of the Egyptian Navy and border guards for border surveillance and search and rescue operations at sea. The initiative, implemented by the IOM and French operator Civipol, addresses border management, anti-smuggling, anti-trafficking, and voluntary returns. However, concerns have been voiced about Egypt's economic and political crisis, prompting calls for human rights considerations in EU-Egypt partnerships.
The UK government’s proposal to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda faced a parliamentary setback as the House of Lords voted to delay ratification until the government proves Rwanda's safety. Concerned about inadequate safeguards, members voted 214 to 171 in favour of the motion to delay ratification of the new Rwanda treaty, marking the first Lords’ approval to postpone an international treaty since 2010. Downing Street has downplayed the vote's significance, stating it won't impact the schedule of deportation flights to Rwanda. Critics, on the other hand, see the vote as a major blow to Sunak's controversial deportation plan.
On January 19, 2024, Germany's Bundestag passed the Repatriation Improvement Act, allowing faster deportations of rejected asylum seekers. The legislation, defended by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, includes provisions for extended pre-deportation custody (from 10 to 28 days) and increased search powers for authorities. The law aims to expedite the removal of individuals without the right to stay, emphasising the deportation of foreign criminals and those posing a threat. Critics, including human rights groups and NGOs like SOS Humanity, have expressed concerns about the law's proportionality and potential criminalisation of humanitarian aid efforts.
On January 19, 2024, 200 Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu received Sri Lankan passports at the Deputy High Commission in Chennai. Facilitated by a Sri Lankan initiative, the process allows resettled Sri Lankans to apply directly for passports through diplomatic missions in India, eliminating the need to travel to the country. Previously, they had to use Refugee Repatriation Programe passports. Tamil Nadu's Minister for Non-Resident Tamils Welfare expressed hope for Indian citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees' children. The event marked a positive step in fostering national reconciliation
Good Finds
Migration Sounds: COMPAS has partnered with the Cities and Memory project for Migration Sounds - a global project exploring and reimagining the sounds of human migration and settlement. The project aims to capture diverse migration stories through the sounds of everyday life, departing, journeying, settling, or returning. Currently in its first phase, the project is inviting submissions of recordings capturing the sounds of human migration and settlement worldwide. If you are interested in contributing, you can send in a recording by 31st March through the project website. The second phase of the project commences in April and will involve a reinterpretation of these sounds by artists. You can join the waitlist for this composition phase here.
Who do we think we are? Podcast: Hosted by Professor Michaela Benson, the 'Who Do We Think We Are?' podcast delves into the evolution of British citizenship and its significance in contemporary discussions on migration, citizenship, and belonging. Exploring various themes, from the Windrush deportation scandal to recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, the podcast offers insights into historical events, framing them through essential theoretical perspectives within migration and citizenship studies. You can listen to the podcast here for a comprehensive and accessible exploration of these critical topics.
Cultures of London: Legacies of Migration: ‘Cultures of London: Legacies of Migration’ traces London's rich history and culture, emphasising the profound impact of migration from ancient times to the present. Written by various contributors, including academics, artists, and curators, the book presents thirty-three essays covering a broad spectrum of topics, from famous figures like Shakespeare to lesser-known subjects such as the Free German League of Culture. Reflecting London's diversity, the book explores human migrations, cultural exchanges, and the city's ever-evolving identity, offering a vibrant and kaleidoscopic view of its dynamic history. You can buy a copy here.
Dìdi: ‘Dìdi’, which premiered at the Sundance film festival earlier this month, delivers a poignant coming-of-age story centred on 13-year-old Chris Wang, a Taiwanese-American navigating adolescence in Fremont, California, during 2008. Directed by Sean Wang, the film draws from the director's own experiences, portraying the struggles of assimilation and identity formation. Chris grapples with cultural nuances, racial microaggressions, and the challenges of being a first-generation immigrant. The film expertly balances humour and heart, shedding light on the immigrant experience, family dynamics, and the quest for belonging, making it a standout addition to the coming-of-age genre.
Thank you. We will see you again next month!
Best Wishes,
The IMN Team
Research and Drafting: Mihika Samant
Editorial Support: Pooja Bhatia
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