Eight Policies to Boost the Economic Contribution of Employment-based Immigration

Author: 
Demetrios G. Papademetriou and Madeleine Sumptio
Date of Publication: 
June, 2011
Source Organization: 
Migration Policy Institute

The authors contend "that successful economic-stream immigration systems are transparent and flexible, create predictable outcomes and remain open to constant adaptation and experimentation." In order for immigration to be a "powerful tool for supporting a country's economic growth and prosperity,"  the following policies should be implemented:

  1. temporary-to-permanent visa pathways;
  2. streamlined immigration for the most skilled workers;
  3. special policies to retain top foreign students;
  4. allowing employers to "pierce" numerical limits or other limits through the payment of special fees;
  5. regional and local engagement in the admission process;
  6. the use of independent research to review and adjust immigration systems; and,
  7. the development of effective immigrant integration programs because "integration outcomes are a key measure of the success of any national immigration policy, and such outcomes can be tracked and used as a feedback mechanism for determining needed adjustments to immigration laws." (Summary by Nick Montalto.)

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Citation: 

Papademetriou, D. G. and Sumption, M. (2011). Eight Policies to Boost the Economic Contribution of Employment-based Immigration. Washington, D.C.: Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/eight-policies-boost-economic-contribution-employment-based-immigration

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