Across Continents: A Look at Immigration in the US and Europe
Introduction: Immigrants in Modern World
Migration is not a modern phenomenon. It has been an integral part of human history since the earlier stages of human evolution. Closely related to this concept is immigration, which specifically refers to the act of permanently relocating to a foreign country from your birth country. Whereas migration encompasses a broader concept of movement of people from one place to another, whether within or across borders, and can be temporary or permanent.
Despite its long-standing role in human development, immigration remains a contentious issue in developed nations, presenting both opportunities and challenges, sparking political, social, and economic debates about national identity and resource allocation.
As per the global data, the number of international immigrants has significantly increased over the past few decades. In 2020, approximately 281 million people were living outside their country of birth - more than double the number recorded in 1990. This figure represents about 3.6% of the world’s population.
This blog presents a brief study of immigration trends, and various measures taken by the government to control or reduce immigration specifically focusing in The United States of America and Europe.
Immigrants in USA: A Choice of Your Own
· America has a rich history shaped by immigrants, who in the past were primarily from Europe as well as from Africa via the slave trade. Today, however, the influx of immigrants mainly comes from Latin America and Asia. Mexico, China and India rank among the leading countries of origin for immigrants.
· These individuals are mainly driven by economic factors, such as job opportunities and the desire for a better quality of life in the U.S. compared to their home countries. Immigration to America is largely a self-selected process motivated by these factors.
Skill distribution: U.S. native workers vs immigrants
Most native workers in the U.S. fall within the medium skill range, while immigrants often fill positions that require either low or high-skilled labour.
· Immigrants to the U.S. often demonstrate cultural compatibility with American culture. Shared or mutual religious beliefs can ease cultural assimilation or coexistence. Many individuals emigrate to America from countries facing difficult economic or political conditions, seeking better opportunities or safety.
· Politically, immigration laws are established at the federal level but until now have been enforced at the state level. This dichotomy can sometimes result in conflicts and tensions between the federal government and the states. States may enforce immigration laws to varying degrees once immigrants are within U.S. borders.
Immigrants in Europe: Complicated Situation
· In Europe, immigration presents some important differences compared to the U.S. Many European countries have colonial histories, with former colonies now serving as sources of immigration. Currently, most immigration flows to Central and Western Europe come from the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
Total monthly asylum applications in European Union, 2014–2024
Number of monthly asylum or first-time asylum applicants in the EU-27 Nations from January 2014 to July 2024.
· A significant portion of these immigrants do not come to Europe for the same economic reasons as those who migrate to the U.S. In Europe, there is a larger percentage of asylum seekers and refugees fleeing conflict zones like Syria, Afghanistan and Sudan. These individuals are compelled to relocate out of necessity and often choose specific European countries based on the level of social welfare options.
· Cultural conflicts, along with the European version of identity politics of the last decade, has hindered social integration processes similar to those observed in the U.S.. Additionally, regulations restricting the assimilation process through the labour market have not been beneficial. Immigrants may feel unwelcome and often face discrimination in the job market.
· As a result, immigrants to Europe do not integrate into their host countries as effectively as they do in the U.S. This situation leads to immigrants seeking more welfare support than they contribute, further increasing animosity toward them.
· Politically, immigration is managed differently in Europe compared to the U.S. The Schengen Area, which includes 27 European countries, has removed border controls at their mutual borders, effectively operating as a single jurisdiction with a common visa policy.
Government Actions:
Both the USA and EU have adopted stricter immigration controls, increased enforcement, and enhanced border security to reduce migration.
Measures taken by USA:
Criminal Prosecution and deportation policy: The US supreme Court has ruled that migrants can be expelled to the third-party country under fast-track procedures. These ruling grants that the administration will be allowed to deport the immigrants to the destination third country of which the immigrant is a non- citizen.
Visa and entry restrictions: The Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on foreign nationals from countries deemed as security threats, reducing validity periods and increasing scrutiny during the issuance process. The restrictions also apply to owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies operating in these countries for knowingly facilitating immigration to the US.
Expanded border security and infrastructure development: The Pentagon plans to establish two new military zones along Mexico's border and deploy troops to detain migrants and trespassers. President Trump's $150 billion big bill includes expanding detention centers, hiring 18,000 new ICE agents, setting up an immigration court system, and fencing along borders.
Measures taken by EU:
EU’s transit country agreement: The EU has been fostering migration-focused bilateral ties with Mediterranean neighbours since the late 1990s. It has evolved from development-focused partnerships to formal security-driven gatekeeping structures, including the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, aiming to improve border control and asylum applications.
Strengthening of border infrastructure and internal border controls: The EU has significantly increased funding for border infrastructure and its operational capacity, while 13 of its 27 member states have reintroduced internal border checks with their neighbours, including Schengen countries like Germany, Hungary, and Poland, due to increased Balkan migrations and potential security threats.
Deportations and detention policy: The EU has tightened up the deportation rules for the rejected asylum seekers. Detention of up to 2 years, longer bans on re-entry, and off continent removal centres (potentially outside Europe).
Way Forward: Hard work and Pressure for all
Addressing immigration is crucial but focusing on simplifying and streamlining the process to make it more affordable and accessible, rather than intensifying efforts against illegal immigration, could be more effective.
Additionally, like in Europe, the majority of Illegal immigrants often enter the U.S. for low-skilled jobs, while those with criminal intentions remain undocumented to avoid detection, making the connection between illegal immigration and criminality misguided.
Open-border immigration in the U.S. does not imply a complete absence of border controls or eliminate immigration processes. Instead, it represents a more market-friendly approach to hiring foreign labour, requiring background checks and updating labour restrictions for equal job competition.
Europe faces challenges in integrating immigrants with diverse backgrounds into the job market, identifying potential criminals, and managing high labour costs and complex regulations, which are crucial for assimilation into European society.
References:
Blog by Gourav Pradhan and Nidhi Attri, M.Com Students.
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