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Immigration and Emigration

Migrants
commentary
Common Sense Solutions to the Border Crisis
Blas Nunez-Neto
May 2, 2019
The Hill
After years of declines, apprehensions of undocumented immigrants at the U.S.–Mexico border are set for their largest year-on-year increase in history. There is, in fact, a humanitarian crisis on the border. How did this come about? More importantly, what can be done to address it?
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Border and Port Security
commentary
Hadrian's Wall Was a Policy Statement; So Is Donald Trump's
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Mar 6, 2019
United Press International
It's not clear if Hadrian's Wall was necessary to prevent Scottish fighters from invading the Roman Empire. Neither is it clear how effective Trump's wall would be at repelling undocumented immigration and smugglers. Hadrian's Wall may have been of symbolic value to those on both sides of it. Trump's could be, too.
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United States
blog
State of the Union 2019: Insights from RAND
Feb 6, 2019
To shed light on a wide range of topics that figured in President Trump's second State of the Union address, we've rounded up insights from some of RAND's objective and nonpartisan research, analysis, and expertise.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
What Border Walls Can and Cannot Accomplish
Raphael S. Cohen
Jan 8, 2019
Fox News Channel
States have been building walls since ancient times. Some were arguably quite successful, others less so. At the core of prudent policy lies a basic question: What can walls realistically accomplish?
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Migrants
commentary
America's Overwhelmed Immigration System
Blas Nunez-Neto
Dec 5, 2018
Dallas Morning News
The Trump administration's options to deal with the surge of asylum seekers arriving at the U.S. border appear to be limited. What policies could help address the problem?
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Migrants
commentary
Berlin Protests Highlight Need for Sound Employment Discrimination Laws in Germany
Laura Kupe
Nov 15, 2018
American Institute for Contemporary German Studies
Germany has a legal tradition and a strong constitution that promotes equality for all those living within its borders. That tradition could end up being a factor as German policymakers consider whether it is advantageous for the nation as a whole that the newest members of its society should have the necessary legal protections to succeed socially and economically.
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Immigration and Emigration
commentary
New Border Policy Could Have Unintended Consequences
Blas Nunez-Neto
May 21, 2018
United Press International
The Trump administration has announced significant policy changes to deter migrants from coming to America. These changes will likely have a significant impact on border operations and the federal court system. But it's less clear whether they will have the intended impact of reducing illegal immigration.
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Immigration Legislation
commentary
The Immigration Debate: Building a Bridge Across the Deportation-Amnesty Divide
Douglas C. Ligor @DougLigor
Feb 28, 2018
The Hill
Discussions of U.S. immigration are dominated by arguments that pit “rule of law” proponents — focused on apprehension, detention, and deportation — against “humanitarian” supporters seeking a pardon or amnesty that will allow immigrants to stay in the country. Minor changes to the statute known as “Cancellation of Removal” could offer a compromise.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
Prioritizing Security at the U.S. Border with Mexico
Blas Nunez-Neto
Jan 29, 2018
U.S. News & World Report
As debate on border security continues, policymakers would be wise to look beyond the heated rhetoric to clearly identify priorities and make informed decisions about how best to deploy finite resources to get the strongest security for the investment.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
The Big Border Security Question
Blas Nunez-Neto
Dec 9, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
What does a secure U.S.-Mexico border look like? And what kind of security measures are needed? Despite investing billions of dollars since 9/11, it's still a struggle to measure how effective U.S. border security operations are.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
Broken Border or Broken Policy?
Blas Nunez-Neto
Nov 17, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
What does a secure land border look like? The U.S. government's inability to provide an answer has trapped America in a vicious cycle. Every decade, the perception that the U.S.-Mexico border isn't secure enough leads to big investments—with mixed results.
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Workforce Management
commentary
Professional Expectations, Families and Brexit Shape Future for UK International Researchers
Susan Guthrie, Catherine A. Lichten
May 5, 2017
Times Higher Education
Mobility has become an even higher priority for researchers since the results of the UK’s EU referendum, Brexit. To continue to attract and keep top talent, the UK needs to understand how and why researchers move between countries.
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Migrants
essay
Migrant Crisis in the Mediterranean: What You Need to Know
May 2, 2017
The countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are facing unprecedented stress. A former lieutenant with the Italian Navy is now a RAND researcher, working to help others appreciate the scope of the crisis.
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Immigration and Emigration
commentary
Would a Border Wall Be Effective?
Scott Savitz
Sep 26, 2016
Dallas Morning News
A wall along the U.S. border with Mexico would be a wasteful endeavor. Like many walls throughout history, it would probably be undermined by tunnels. And in general, fences and walls don't prevent people from crossing boundaries. They merely slow people down.
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Immigration and Emigration
commentary
Understanding and Addressing the Unaccompanied Minor Immigration Issue
Ernesto F. L. Amaral, Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Apr 22, 2016
The Hill
The number of unaccompanied child immigrants apprehended at the U.S. southwest border is on the rise again, the majority of them coming not from Mexico, but from Central America. Research could provide valuable information to policymakers as they try to find ways to help young immigrants.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
Walls Won't Keep Us Safe
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Apr 15, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
Experience along the U.S. southern border demonstrates that even with fortifications, a wall provides only modest capacity to stop illegal crossings. More emphasis should be placed on expanding border security beyond the physical dimension.
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Refugees
commentary
Putting a Human Face on the Refugee Crisis
Obaid Younossi
Sep 15, 2015
Fox News Channel
By welcoming and accepting refugees, the West can send their oppressors a message about what it means to be a free democratic society.
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Migrants
q&a
How to Solve the Mediterranean's Migrant Crisis
Giacomo Persi Paoli
May 28, 2015
The RAND Blog
Destroying smugglers' vessels could contribute to reducing illegal migration and impact the business model that makes smuggling so profitable. But it won't stop smuggling altogether.
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Immigration Legislation
commentary
The Forgotten Cornerstone in the Immigration Reform Debate
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein, Martina L. Melliand
Apr 30, 2015
The Hill
The Executive Office for Immigration Review manages the U.S. immigration court system and thereby plays a pivotal role in assuring the timely processing of foreign nationals and the security of the nation and its borders. It should not be left out of discussions of immigration reform.
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Migrants
commentary
What Does It Take to Rescue Migrants at Sea?
Giacomo Persi Paoli
Apr 23, 2015
The RAND Blog
European Union leaders gathered today for an emergency summit to discuss a concerted response to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in the Mediterranean Sea. As a former officer serving aboard an Italian Navy warship deployed in Operation Mare Nostrum in November 2013, Giacomo Persi Paoli is well aware of the challenges.
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Politics and Government
blog
State of the Union 2014: President Obama Calls for a Year of Action
Jan 29, 2014
Obama called for “a year of action” to achieve his 2014 agenda — from helping people sign up for health insurance, to immigration reform, to completing the mission in Afghanistan. RAND is committed to raising the level of public policy debates and offering evidence-based, actionable solutions.
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