PUBLICATIONS

 

Undocumented Immigrants and Rights in the EU: Addressing the Gap between Social Sciences Research and Policy-Making in the Stockholm Programme?

Undocumented migrants are one of the most vulnerable groups in the EU. This report assesses the main findings and synergies of a selection of EU-funded research projects on irregular immigration and the status of undocumented migrants. It reveals that the results emanating from social science research contrast with the EU policy documents adopted in light of the Stockholm Programme – the third multi-annual programme on an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. The authors argue that acknowledgement of the findings of independent research is lacking in EU policy, which continues promote a control-based approach to migration that has profound ethical and human rights implications. The report concludes with a set of policy recommendations aimed at overcoming the current inconsistencies in EU and national policies as well as in practices on irregular migration under the mandate of the Stockholm Programme.

Source: CEPS, Special Report, Sergio Carrera and Massimo Merlino, December 2009.

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EU-wide survey of minorities: Mapping Discrimination across Europe

On 9 December, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) released the results of its survey of over 23,000 individuals from ethnic minority and immigrant groups about their experiences of discrimination, racist crime, and policing in the EU. The results reveal shocking evidence about the discrimination faced by minorities in everyday life; in the classroom, when looking for work, or at the doctor’s.

Source: Fundamental Rights Agency, Mapping Discrimination across Europe, Dec 9, 2009

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CLANDESTINO: Undocumented migration. Data and trends across Europe.

Reliable statistics and updated information are key requirements for a better policy on irregular migration in the European Union. Low quality estimates on irregular migration promote ‘number games’ and the deliberate use of unjustified numbers to dramatize irregular migration.

Aggregating information from the 27 member states of the European Union (EU), researchers estimate that the total number of irregular migrants residing in the EU is likely to be in the range of 1.9 million to 3.8 million. This most recent estimate is based on an improved methodology and should question the estimate of up to 8 million irregular migrants, used until recently in European policy documents.

The use of outdated numbers is often unintentional. Numbers are scarce in a field in which it is difficult to investigate because irregular migrants hide from authorities and are reluctant to talk to researchers for fear of detection and expulsion. As there are indications that the actual number of irregular migrants has declined since the turn of the millennium, the use of outdated numbers leads to an overestimation of the phenomenon. The current situation calls for a more in-depth evaluation of existing policies in line with the new figures. PICUM, a partner of the CLANDESTINO project, is concerned that declining numbers could be misinterpreted: “Declining numbers do not mean declining needs for action on behalf of irregular migrants. They just indicate that solutions may not be as difficult as previously believed.” The European Union is committed to secure human rights of all persons independent of their status, but migration control measures often impede access to basic rights for irregular migrants, making them vulnerable to health hazards, exploitation and criminality.”

For more information, visit http://clandestino.eliamep.gr (country reports and policy briefs), and http://irregular-migration.hwwi.net (database).

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The poorest immigrants subsidize health care for everyone else

Health reform is still under discussion in the US. Currently, legal immigrants who have had their status for less than five years, who work and pay taxes that contribute to US’ health care system will continue to be ineligible to receive federally-funded Medicaid services.

Source: New America Media, Commentary, EunSook Lee, Nov 29, 2009

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‘The Health of People in Australian Immigration Detention Centres’.

“People in immigration detention are frequent users of health services, and there is a clear association between time in detention and rates of mental illness. Government policies internationally should be informed by evidence from studies of the health of this marginalised and often traumatised group.”

Source: Medical Journal of Australia, Janette P. Green and Kathy Eagar, Dec 14, 2009.