Today, immigration policy analysts discussed the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX)—a survey which measures the immigration and integration policies of 31 nations—as well as the survey’s implications for integration policy in the U.S. Overall, the U.S ranked 9th out of the 31 countries surveyed, but first in terms of its strong anti-discrimination laws and protections. Compared with other countries, legal immigrants in the U.S. enjoy employment opportunities, educational opportunities, and the opportunity to reunite with close family members. However, MIPEX also acknowledges that the U.S.’s complex immigration laws, limited visa availability, high fees, and long backlogs may make it challenging for immigrants to integrate into the fabric of American life—a challenge best tackled by comprehensive reform....
Among the categories surveyed, MIPEX measured how well the U.S. integrates its immigrants. Integration of immigrants is key not only to the MIPEX score, but the future of immigration in the U.S. As Michele Waslin, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Immigration Policy Center, stated:
Integration is happening in the U.S. despite the fact that we don’t have a national strategy and don’t have some of the same laws and policies that other countries have. The U.S. has always been a nation of immigrants, and different waves of immigrants have always integrated and become part of the American fabric. It’s part of the genius of America, the American Dream...Read more