Working Immigrants

76% of Canadians say that immigration is good for their economy, but other than that they have mixed feeling. (The survey results below do not include no opinion/did not answer.) As many agree as disagree that admitted refugees are not really refugees. Many think that Canadian values are not being adopted. And more say that immigrants are straining the welfare system as say they do not.

The survey is here.

I am posting the language of the agreement between Mexico and the United States. This is a vindication to Trump of his confrontational tactics. It is particularly noteworthy because it involved an emerging country over which the U.S. has wielded power for 150 years. There are precedents that took place before World War 1, when Germany shoved its military into disputes in north and northwest Africa.

The joint statement by the United States and Mexico released by the State Department on Friday night:

“The United States and Mexico met this week to address the shared challenges of irregular migration, to include the entry of migrants into the United States in violation of U.S. law. Given the dramatic increase in migrants moving from Central America through Mexico to the United States, both countries recognize the vital importance of rapidly resolving the humanitarian emergency and security situation. The Governments of the United States and Mexico will work together to immediately implement a durable solution.

“As a result of these discussions, the United States and Mexico commit to:

Mexican Enforcement Surge

“Mexico will take unprecedented steps to increase enforcement to curb irregular migration, to include the deployment of its National Guard throughout Mexico, giving priority to its southern border. Mexico is also taking decisive action to dismantle human smuggling and trafficking organizations as well as their illicit financial and transportation networks. Additionally, the United States and Mexico commit to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including information sharing and coordinated actions to better protect and secure our common border.

Migrant Protection Protocols

“The United States will immediately expand the implementation of the existing Migrant Protection Protocols across its entire Southern Border. This means that those crossing the U.S. Southern Border to seek asylum will be rapidly returned to Mexico where they may await the adjudication of their asylum claims.

“In response, Mexico will authorize the entrance of all of those individuals for humanitarian reasons, in compliance with its international obligations, while they await the adjudication of their asylum claims. Mexico will also offer jobs, health care and education according to its principles.

“The United States commits to work to accelerate the adjudication of asylum claims and to conclude removal proceedings as expeditiously as possible.

Further Actions

“Both parties also agree that, in the event the measures adopted do not have the expected results, they will take further actions. Therefore, the United States and Mexico will continue their discussions on the terms of additional understandings to address irregular migrant flows and asylum issues, to be completed and announced within 90 days, if necessary.”

Many of the Trump administration’s practices regarding immigration focus on one aim: to increase the cost of migrating to the United States. If we see the practices in this light, we can see how they mirror fundamental trends worldwide in migration.

Since the 1960s, the costs of migration from one country to another have dropped. The costs of movement have declined. The costs of settling have declined. The costs of staying in touch with the country of origin have declined.

First, the costs of movement. Air flights have reduced the cost, delays and uncertainties of travel. As more persons in developing countries gain more income, air travel is more affordable.

Second, the costs of settlement. As immigrant communities in destination countries increase in size, the ability of would-be and arriving migrants to to find housing, get jobs and fit in grows. This applies perhaps most to unauthorized migration – how to avoid deportation. But it also applies to legal immigration when channels such as refugee migration broaden. The Trump administration wants to stop the catch-and-release practices when people cross the Mexican border and then meet up with earlier migrants. This most recently has enabled unaccompanied minors to cross the southern border.

Third, the costs of keeping in touch with the host country. The most obvious improvement is in phone calls. It also includes air travel. Many immigrants today return for temporary visits. And consider remittances. Immigrant households in developed can probably better afford to share incomes in ways that can be used meaningfully in the country of origin. Methods of sending remittances have improved over the decades, and still are.

Trump’s practices form an overall strategy of aversive messaging to would be immigrants: don’t come. This applies to professionals as well as low wage workers: the spouses of temporary workers are not allowed to work.

Much of this is spelled out in Paul Collier, Exodus: How Migration is Changing our World.