Migration and the Recession – the impact on migrants and their families

The Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) rates all EU nations’ (plus Norway,  Switzerland, Canada, and the US) efforts to integrate immigrants according to 148  indicators, which range from opportunities for education and political participation to  levels of protection against discrimination, from prospects for reuniting with family to the  likelihood of achieving permanent residence status and citizenship. According to the  report by the British Council and the Migration Policy Group, Ireland’s policies are  regarded as only ‘half-way favourable’ towards migrants. The study found that Ireland  scores particularly poorly in its policies concerning family reunification, access to  education and labour market mobility in comparison to other countries. However, on a  positive note, Ireland scored well on political participation, with migrants provided with  an opportunity to vote in local elections. The MIPEX report provides indicators for policy  makers to facilitate evidence-based policy making. It provides an opportunity to consider  how our immigration systems facilitate or prevent people from belonging or experiencing  social exclusion and marginalisation. Although Ireland’s resources are limited because of  the state of our finances, the ICI believes that it is important to provide political  leadership on integration issues and to ensure that any new policy development in the  area of immigration is equality-proofed to ensure the inclusion of migrants going  forward. 
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