Environmental and Ethical Aspects of International Migration

Abstract

"U.S. immigration policy has a beneficent intent. However, recent work suggests that the signal it sends internationally--that emigration can be relied upon to relieve local (Third World) population pressure--tends to maintain high fertility rates in the sending country. This effect is counterproductive because high fertility is the primary driver of rapid population growth. In addition, it appears that the relatively open U.S. immigration policy has resulted in a rate of domestic population growth that threatens both the well-being of American labor and cherished environmental values."

Immigrants and Refugees

“…Ethical issues are also involved in refugee admissions policies that may cause great suffering for those whose asylum claims may be denied, forcing them to return to their native country. Research on the experience and adaptation of immigrants and refugees is used to argue both sides of this debate, as illustrated in several articles in the journal International Migration Review (Abernethy, 1996;Carens, 1996;Gibney, 1996; Southeast Asian Resource Action Center [SEARAC], 2003) that considered the pros and cons of immigration policies. The uses of this research place great responsibility on the researchers who study these populations, as the findings of their studies may be used to inform policies that have great impact on the lives of many people.…”