In The News

States and Towns Attempt to Draw the Line on Illegal Immigration

Miriam Jordan July 14, 2006
Angered at the federal government’s failure to pass a bill addressing illegal immigration, many states and towns throughout the US have taken matters into their own hands. Recognizing a galvanizing issue, legislatures and communities propose crackdowns on illegal immigrants. Those favoring more stringent policies argue that illegal immigrants pose a burden on social services and taxpayers....

Immigration – and the Curse of the Black Legend

Tony Horwitz July 12, 2006
In the current US debate on illegal immigration, one argument stresses the threat posed to a unique culture by the “’invasion’” of aliens. Many assume that this culture, as evidenced by the recent push to make English the country’s official language, is based on an Anglo heritage. Many forget that US history includes Spanish exploration and settlement, according to author Tony Horwitz. Prejudices...

Fortress Europe?

Patrick Sabatier July 11, 2006
Europe’s working-age population is aging and falling in numbers, and the continent needs workers to do jobs that Europeans either will not or cannot do. Meanwhile, half of Africa’s ever-growing population is under 17 years of age, with many living on less than US$1.20 a day. Such potent conditions are building an immigration crisis in the European Union, the physical evidence of which can be...

As China Ages, a Shortage of Cheap Labor Looms

Howard W. French June 30, 2006
The world’s most populous nation may soon face a labor shortage. Chinese traditionally retire at age 60. But expansion of nursing homes and home care provide evidence of a demographic shift and aging population, which could pressure China’s already stretched pension program. Analysts debate the wisdom of relaxing laws such as the one-child policy and restrictions on internal migration to ease...

Congress May Yet Move on Immigration

Gail Russell Chaddock June 28, 2006
US legislators are polarized over immigration reform, but they also recognize that voters on both sides – those who welcome hardworking illegal immigrants who otherwise don’t break laws versus those who want to deport all illegals – are passionate about the issue. Voters question the ability of Congress to act on an obvious and glaring problem, with more than 12 million illegal aliens in the US....

Migrants, Bound for Spain, Set off a Boom

Meg Bortin June 21, 2006
Many West Africans pool funds to finance their own illegal immigration to the Spanish Canary Islands by boat. Fish was the lead export for Senegal in 2003, but the bountiful oceans of Western Africa have long been decimated by massive foreign fishing trawlers that took advantage of the coast’s once abundant fish supply. So the one-time fishermen of Senegal have found another way to generate...

Holocaust Memories Hover Over Refugees

Peter Hirschberg June 20, 2006
Sudanese refugees who have illegally crossed the border into Israel are either forced back into Egypt or arrested and detained. Some of those arrested are released by the courts and taken in by kibbutzim, while others remain in prison waiting to be charged. The refugees pose a moral dilemma to the citizens and government of Israel; the chairman of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust museum, wrote in...