Migration Policy Group Newsletter

FAiR Project Kick-Off

The FAiR project is officially launched! Finding Agreement in Return is a 3-year Horizon Europe funded project under the programme "culture, creativity and inclusive society". The project aims to improve how the EU manages the return of migrants by addressing issues with fairness and considering alternatives to return. MPG’s main role in this project is to develop and improve measurements of Europe’s return policies through a Migration Return Policy Index (MIREX) and pilot it in 10 different countries.

MPG’s Dr. Carmine Conte interviewed by Deutsche Welle

Interviewed by Marta Silvia Viganò of Deutsche Welle on Italy’s declaration of a state of emergency over migration, MPG’s Legal Policy Analyst Dr. Carmine Conte states that “dealing with migration as an emergency is, consistent with the government’s line on migration.Seeking to criminalize NGOs helping migrants at sea. The polarization of the debate around migration by the Italian government reveals the lack of a long-term comprehensive strategy for migration management that protects human rights and ensures safe access to Europe.”

MPG's Projects Are Discussed at Global Conferences

This month MPG staff presented their work at conferences in Europe and North America. In Brussels, Dr. Başak Yavçan(left) attended the Future of Migration to Europe conference organised by the HumMingBird project.

Dr. Sinem Yilmaz(middle) attended the TransAtlantic Community Policy-LAB, a two-day international policy dialogue event taking place in Toronto, Canada, where she presented the results of our Whole-COMM data inventory.

In Bologna, Olivia Long(right) represented MPG at MIG.EN.CUBE's final conference which brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners & newcomer entrepreneurs to exchange experiences on migrant entrepreneur support.

This Month's MIPEX Citations

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is a unique tool which measures integration policies in 56 countries across 8 policy areas. It provides up-to-date, comprehensive research data and analysis on which to base policies, proposals for change and projects.

Here are some recent publications that cite MIPEX:

"Extending Migrants’ Rights but Limiting Long-Term Settlement"

A study by G. Solano, S.Schmid, & M. Helbling finds that migrant integration policies have become more liberal in 36 EU and OECD countries from 2010-19. However, while migrants’ rights have been extended, long-term settlement has been limited.

"The Integration Paradox: A Review and Meta-Analysis of the Complex Relationship Between Integration and Reports of Discrimination."

M.Schaeffer & J.Kas identify the "integration paradox". That being, even when immigrants and their children do well in school and work, they still experience more discrimination. We still need to learn more about why it happens.

"The moderating effect of context of reception, labour market and education system on the migrant-native gap in university expectations."

C. Palomo looks into native vs. immigrant students' university expectations. They find that welcoming countries benefit immigrant children, track-based education narrows it and job opportunities don't heavily impact expectations.