Although politicians often perpetuate the impression that immigration policies have become more restrictive, this paper shows that policies have actually become lessrestrictive for most migrant groups in recent decades.
Using unique new data from the DEMIG POLICY database and analysing over 6,500 policy changes, authors Hein de Haas, Katharina Natter and Simona Vezzoli also show that migration policies have become more sophisticated.
Policies are now more targeted towards specific migrant groups, making them tools for states to select the type of migrants they wish to attract rather than an instrument to affect the volume of immigration.
- Download the full working paper
- Find out more about the DEMIG – Determinants of International Migration project
- Read blogpost by Hein de Haas on Human Migration: Myths, Hysteria and Facts