In The News

Illegal Immigration to US Slows Sharply

Miriam Jordan September 8, 2010
Because of recession and high jobless rates, illegal immigration to the US has contracted sharply, by more than half, in recent years, suggests the nonpartisan Pew Hispanic Center. “The mortgage crisis and ensuing economic slump have slashed jobs in construction, tourism and other sectors that are the mainstay for low-skilled Latin Americans,” writes Miriam Jordan for the Wall Street Journal. “...

Silicon Valley Expats Spur Innovation in India

Sean Randolph September 2, 2010
As the US tech industry saw rapid growth during the 1990s, immigrating students and workers from Asia heeded innovation’s call. Engineers and programmers from India settled in Silicon Valley and enjoyed immediate success. About one out of six tech startups was launched by immigrants from India. Now some of these tech workers return to India, explains author and trade specialist Sean Randolph....

Law and Globalization: Not Entirely Free, Your Honor

August 17, 2010
As barriers to international trade crumble, the legal profession does not hurry to follow the trend. One explanation of the profession’s relative imperviousness to foreign influence is separate legal traditions: Some countries practice English common law while others follow civil law or a mix of systems. Complex regulations on practice vary by nation, sometimes devised “to protect the profession...

Unwanted Immigrants: America’s Deportation Dilemma

Joseph Chamie July 27, 2010
Increased labor mobility has accompanied global population growth and ease of travel. The world has roughly 50 million illegal migrants, about one quarter of which live in the US. Nations widely oppose illegal immigration, but identifying, catching and then deporting violators present a huge challenge, explains Joseph Chamie, research director for the Center for Migration Studies. Attitudes about...

Headless Bodies and Other Immigration Tall Tales in Arizona

Dana Milbank July 16, 2010
Immigration has been a major driver of US economic growth, but at a time of economic distress, it has emerged as a contentious issue. Recent attempts by politicians to exploit concerns over immigration by falsehood or exaggeration could have unintended consequences. Defending a new law targeting illegal immigrants, Arizona politicians claim rising violence along the state’s border shared with...

Worry on the Jobs Front

Nayan Chanda July 12, 2010
Global economic recession severely curtailed hiring in the developed nations – and economists debate whether the slowdown is temporary or a “new normal,” explains Nayan Chanda, editor of YaleGlobal Online, writing for the Times of India. Some analysts blame outsourcing, low-cost labor and minimal regulations in emerging economies for high unemployment rates. Yet decisions of policymakers,...

Companies Brace for End of Cheap Made-in-China Era

Elaine Kurtenbach July 9, 2010
An array of low-cost goods in stores of the West is possible because of ample Chinese workers willing to work for a few dollars a day. But the days of low-cost bounty could be ending, as more Chinese are willing to unionize and go on strike for better wages and benefits. Higher shipping costs and pressure from the West for China to increase the value of its currency add to an uncertain business...