In The News

India’s Reverse Diaspora

Steven L. Raymer December 5, 2008
Indians still move abroad to work or study, but increasing numbers of restless immigrants are now turning to their ancestral land for opportunity. “By several estimates, between 50,000 and 60,000 information-technology professionals alone have returned to India from overseas since 2003, most to the suburbs of New Delhi, Hyderabad and especially Bangalore, the nexus of what Indians call their...

India Calling

Anand Giridharadas December 2, 2008
Immigrants tend to flow from poorer nations to wealthier ones, but on second thought, perhaps attitudes are more attractive than wealth. Indians moved to the West, escaping India’s constraints in the 1970s. But India’s economy has since enjoyed ample growth and its politicians matured, enacting policies that focused on privatization, liberalization and globalization. In recent years, the...

After US Breakthrough, Europe Looks in Mirror

Steven Erlanger November 21, 2008
Minorities all over Europe look to Barack Obama’s election as US president, with hope of one day achieving similar success, but most are skeptical of such change taking place in their respective countries. Nations such as France, Germany, the UK and Italy struggle to handle growing minority populations and their integration into society. There is small, if any, minority representation in Europe’s...

Huddled Classes

November 21, 2008
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released results of a 2006 study on how migrant children fare in host countries, based on performance in language, math and science. One conclusion is that “almost everywhere immigrant students fare worse than locals,” largely because of difficulties with language, yet first-generation immigrant children tend to have more motivation than...

Mortgage Prospects Dim for Illegal Immigrants

Miriam Jordan October 27, 2008
Undocumented immigrants who work hard and save money can no longer easily invest in US businesses and real estate. The US Internal Revenue Service accepts the payment of taxes from undocumented workers who use tax identification numbers. Even as the US Department of Homeland Security attempted to deport undocumented workers, other government agencies encouraged their tax payments and investments...

New Immigration Rules: “A Plan for More Segregation”

Ferda Ataman October 17, 2008
The 27 nations of the European Union formally approved an immigration policy designed to crack down on illegal immigrants but attract qualified guest workers. Europe, hoping to boost flailing public pension programs, seeks a greater share of talented immigrants who now head for the US, Australia or Canada. Only 5 percent now head to Europe, and priority will be given to talented workers who...

Township for Foreign Workers Could House Up to 20,000 Under One Roof

Imelda Saad September 12, 2008
Singapore banks on its stable, multicultural society to attract investors and businesses. Investment in infrastructure construction has required foreign workers who bring new cultures and habits, some considered unacceptable by local Singaporeans. Hence, dormitory operators have proposed building huge “townships” for up to 20,000 foreign workers in one location, a concept that flourishes...