Download a PDF of the Top 10 Migration Issues of 2012
Issue #1: Migration Flows Rise, Diversify as Global Economy Stumbles Toward Recovery Migration flows that were stalled for a period by the pronounced recession that began in 2008 have resumed to a number of OECD countries, including the United States where there appears to be a slight increase in Mexican migration for the first time in several years. More migrants seem to be choosing emerging economies, including Brazil, China, and South Africa, over traditional destinations.

Issue #2: Obama Administration Action Benefitting DREAMers a Game-Changer in US Immigration Debate The Obama administration in 2012 sidestepped the legislative gridlock that has existed in Washington for more than a decade over immigration policymaking and reframed the debate in a significant way with the launch of a program that provides a two-year reprieve from deportation for eligible unauthorized immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.
Issue #3: Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Just One of Several Campaign Messages for Far-Right Parties The electoral fortunes of far-right parties, a number of which campaigned using anti-immigrant messages, varied during 2012, with notable albeit small advances for Greece's extremist Golden Dawn party. For the most part, however, extreme-right politicians continue to struggle to build sizeable support; and in Europe, the anti-immigration discourse has been overshadowed by anti-Brussels rhetoric and anger over high unemployment and austerity measures.
Issue #4: Forced Migration: No Resolution in Sight for Syrians, Violent Outbreaks Displace Thousands across African Continent More than 465,800 Syrians were registered as refugees during 2012 or were awaiting assistance, and another 2.5 million Syrians were internally displaced as a result of the prolonged armed conflict. On the African continent, difficult humanitarian situations also were unfolding.
Issue #5: The Stars May Be Aligning for Break in Long-Running Stalemate over Major US Immigration Policy Reform Reform of the US immigration system has been an elusive goal for more than a decade. But as 2012 draws to a close, it appears that substantive reform could be back on the agenda in 2013 for the Obama administration and Congress, powered there in significant measure by election results that held a message for both political parties. Even before the election, however, there were some signs of an emerging thaw.
Issue #6: 2012 Proved a Year of Migration Management Headaches in the European Union In 2012, significant challenges to existing EU policy, from Schengen to the Common European Asylum System, have constituted the chief concerns for migration management for both EU Member States and the European Commission. Beyond EU borders, there will be additional pressure for the European Union to offer a more concerted humanitarian response to the Syrian refugee crisis affecting Europe's neighbor Turkey in 2013.
Issue #7: Governments Crack Down on Student Visa Fraud The United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada remain top destinations for international students seeking a world-class education. Yet even as these countries and their universities recruit international students — both for their tuition fees and their brain power — they undertook efforts in 2012 to crack down on student visa fraud and some also sought to tighten entry requirements. Other top student destinations, however, are focused on using their visa policy to actively encourage student retention.
Issue #8: Major Immigration Countries Take a Crack at Addressing Thorny Issue of Immigrant Detention The US and Australian governments have long grappled with unwanted entries by unauthorized migrants and would-be asylum seekers. Both nations undertook efforts in 2012 to reform immigration detention policies and procedures that have generated significant scrutiny and criticism.
Issue #9: International Student Mobility Rises, and Countries Seek to Capitalize More students crossed borders in 2012 than ever before. A number of countries have entered the student mobility game in a significant way, including Brazil and Saudi Arabia, whose governments recently extended programs investing in scholarships for study abroad. And Asia, a long-standing international student source, is now emerging as a destination for those seeking higher education.
Issue #10: As Migration of Unaccompanied Minors Endures, and in Some Cases Rises, Governments Seek to Respond Arrivals of unaccompanied minors to the United States surged during 2012, straining the child custody system. While the flows of unaccompanied child migrants to Europe remained stable, the European Union continues to grapple with policies regarding the treatment of this uniquely vulnerable population.

Deferred Action Program Revives Debate over Driver's Licenses for Unauthorized Immigrants December 18 — MPI's Muzaffar Chishti and Claire Bergeron report on the ongoing debate surrounding driver's licenses for unauthorized immigrants, new immigration bills in Congress, proposed rules governing ICE detention, and more.

Deferred Action Program Revives Debate over Driver’s Licenses for Unauthorized Immigrants Capitol Vérité: Inside Immigration Policymaking Living In Between: The Chinese in South Africa Backstage Pass: Q&A with Makers of Acclaimed, Fascinating Documentary on US Immigration Debate Chile: A Growing Destination Country in Search of a Coherent Approach to Migration Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States Canada's Immigration Policy: a Focus on Human Capital African Immigrants in the United States Finland's Balancing Act: The Labor Market, Humanitarian Relief, and Immigrant Integration Mexican Immigrants in the United States Bush Proposes New Temporary Worker Program Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States Deferred Action Program Revives Debate over Driver’s Licenses for Unauthorized Immigrants Jamaica: From Diverse Beginning to Diaspora in the Developed World Mexican Immigrants in the United States Top 10 of 2012 Issue #10: As Migration of Unaccompanied Minors Endures, and in Some Cases Rises, Governments Seek to Respond US Election Realigns Stars for Immigration Reform, But Significant Hurdles Remain Caribbean Immigrants in the United States Haitian Immigrants in the United States Assimilation Models, Old and New: Explaining a Long-Term Process

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