Migration Response Paper

The following study examines migration and the obstacles and triumphs that are frequently
linked with states' immigration policies. This paper will critically engage in the literature
through the use of core readings and extra material in order to assess the concept of migration
and how it will affect security within numerous states through examining how migration
helps and hinders state security. Migration is described as "the movement of people who
leave their country of origin or country of habitual residence to settle permanently or
temporarily in another country" (International Organisation for Migration 2005). The
movement of individuals from one country to another has become an issue for human
security since it frequently comes from a limitation or lack of access to commodities and
desires. Economic and political crises, conflicts, and environmental disasters are all common
motivators that endanger human security. Migration, according to Rudolph, is "an
increasingly global phenomena having economic, social, and foreign policy ramifications."
This is an important beginning point for our knowledge of migration and how it affects
human security, both for migrants and the nations to which they frequently travel. (Rudolph
2003,605).
Migration and its Implications on Individuals and States
Migration is a relatively new concept that was a result of global state interdependence
greatly encouraged after the cold war. States often supported these extended links as it served
as a source of labour and skills were key resources that were welcomed by a capitalist driven
global system however this was envisioned by many large global corporations this practically
could not be conceived however as although private institutions would benefit from cheap
readily available labour and migrants would often benefit through these opportunities
alleviating economic and social hardships States services often felt the pressure of providing
immigrant social and economic services as well as the potential threats to it sovereignty
(Mitchell 1989,684).Mitchell goes on to explain that this is due to the fact that states and
capitalists frequently fail to balance policies of accommodating migrant flows while
safeguarding their domestic agendas as noted by Des Gasper and Giulia Sinatti that
“migration is partly driven by a quest for security yet it often rings risks of insecurity (Gasper
and Sinatti 2016,3).
Human Security and Migration
This failure to acknowledge the intricacies of migration has serious consequences for both
migrants and state citizens, and this pertains to their core human rights and the obligation to
defend them . Human security is thus linked to migration, which has become an increasing
concern in recent years. Migration is frequently regarded as a threat to a state's sovereignty
and its citizens' security, but migrants escaping face similar threats to their human security.
The following section will look at the effects of migration on migrants and states.Migration
has grown very unregulated in recent years, owing to a variety of circumstances such as
poverty and violence, which frequently lead people to migrate to other states in search of
better living conditions. Citizens often grow anxious about how relocation of migrants into
neighboring states will affect them, and Christopher Rudolph alludes to the concept of
societal security in his literature. He notes that this is related to ethnocultural issues and that
the entry of large numbers of diverse migrants may constitute a danger to people' identity,
culture, social, and economic standing in society (Rudolf 2003,605). Citizens will frequently
regard this movement as a threat, and the state will be obliged to develop regulations and
structures to ensure internal security is preserved. Using the example of migrant laborers in
Europe and the United States, this resulted in a cheap and readily available source of labour.
Capitalist firms embraced this cheap labour, but it did not ease the lack of jobs for residents
in Europe and the United States, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. States had to rethink
their migration policy while keeping in mind the protection of everyone's rights as envisioned
in the Declaration of Human Rights.According to the readings, this has frequently been a
challenge, as Howard Alderman notes states struggle with having to protect their own human
security in relation to refugees and migrants within the state, and this has frequently been a
result of UNHCR and its often ambiguous notion of threats to human security. He also
emphasises that refugees are frequently viewed as a threat, resulting in additional refugee
displacement.Therefore all the readings are in agreement with the fact that the notion of
human security in regards to refugees is often complex and not easy to address . While
policies that were geared at limiting migration flows were encouraged they often resulted in
discriminatory policies for migrants Rudolph looks at how migration that had been
previously encouraged in the US which was later reversed had an adverse effect on the
perception of Mexican
Migrants in America with their presence often been associated with untoward behaviors such
as crime.This ideology was a result of polices that promoted migration but were quickly
overturned when there were failures to address the rights of both migrants and citizens of the
state.Although states have the right to protect their sovereignty there is a constant
competition between the state and societal concerns of various interested parties. Mitchell
notes that the approach is a result of Economic Liberalism,Marxism and Economic
Nationalism ideologies that are often in conflict and makes it difficult for states to shape
meaningful frameworks that manage migration(Mitchell 1989,693). As a result, the state
bears the obligation of ensuring that it can operate as an agent of peace by addressing how
these different ideologies will often influence issues surrounding migration. However, this
is still in its early stages, and a greater understanding of how migration affects domestic and
foreign policies requires a people-centered approach that tries to safeguard the most
vulnerable. Adopting this approach is key to ensuring the protection of migrants by actively
engaging with them in creating meaningful policies that seek to protect them and not further
disenfranchise them.Gasper and Sinatti suggest the following possible recommendations. a
more person-centered approach that pays special attention to threats and opportunities for
migrants, particularly in terms of human security, second a dismantling of learned stereotypes
and discrimination structures that may lead to xenophobic sentiment, and finally a global
understanding of global security that must ensure maximum human security for all (Gasper
and Sinatti 2006, 33). If these problems are addressed, theoretical frameworks will alter to
accommodate a global discourse that includes both citizens and migrants.

In conclusion, by recognizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The approach of

states towards migration concerns is not singular, but rather exceedingly heterogeneous.
States will frequently take on the responsibility of building frameworks, gathering data on
migration patterns, and participating in dialogue with migrant parties and the broader public
within a state to gain better knowledge that will influence policy making. If states do not
handle this appropriately, there will be a greater threat to human security, not only for
migrants but also for state people.

References
 Alderman H ,2001. “From Refugees to Forced Migration: The UNHCR and
Human Security,” International Journal of Migration, 35: 7-32.
Gasper D and Sinatti G 2016. “Investigating Migration within a Human Security
Framework” International Institute of Social Studies, p. 3-35.

Mitchell C (1989) “International Migration, International Relations, and Foreign

Policy,” International Migration Review, (23) p. 681-708.

Rudolph C, 2003. “Security and the Political Economy of International

Migration.” American Political Science Review, (97) p. 603-620.