Journal on Policy & Complex Systems Volume 3, Issue 2 | Page 153

Policy and Complex Systems
migrants ’ access to labor markets . A 2009 UN Development Programme research paper found that over 80 % of surveyed governments had policies to maintain or increase the number of skilled migrants accepted into their countries while five others reported having policies designed to reduce the arrivals of skilled workers ( Facchini & Mayda , 2009 ). With respect to humanitarian objectives , governments may use immigration policy to provide safe haven to individuals in need . Unlike with economic interests , humanitarian programs most often target specific demographics largely determined by a combination of international events , domestic sensitivities , and geopolitics . In reality , few immigration policies are purely one or the other . Germany , for example , has distinct economic and humanitarian components to its immigration policy . Its 2002 immigration law built a point system by which it considers migrants for admittance . The point system places an emphasis on demand-driven economic factors such that the demographics of admitted migrants are specified by the immediate needs of the labor market ; the law overtly favors “ skilled workers ” and entrepreneurs ( Oezcan , 2002 ). Germany ’ s policy also has a humanitarian element . For example , the Federal Ministry of the Interior issued a reception order in 2014 providing special treatment to refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria ( Federal Office for Migration and Refugees 2014 ). In response to the European migration crisis , while initially declaring Germany a quota-free country , domestic politics and the burden of increasing migrants led President Angela Merkel to shift policy ( Wagstyl & Rachman , 2016 ). In accordance with the European Commission ’ s quota system , Germany established a policy of accepting 27,000 migrants per year , although this number is much larger in practice when one accounts for the various other forms of immigration ( BBC News , 2016 ).
State Immigration Policies
Immigration policies are generally a balance between state economic interests and humanitarian objectives ( Facchini & Mayda , 2009 ). With respect to the former , immigration policies often focus on maximizing the economic benefits of the receiving country . This can take several forms . For example , governments may look to fill gaps in the labor market , at all skill levels , or take on a protectionist posture by limiting migrants ’ access to labor markets . A 2009 UN Development Programme research paper found that over 80 % of surveyed governments had policies to maintain or increase the number of skilled migrants accepted into their countries while five others reported having policies designed to reduce the arrivals of skilled workers ( Facchini & Mayda , 2009 ). With respect to humanitarian objectives , governments may use immigration policy to provide safe haven to individuals in need . Unlike with economic interests , humanitarian programs most often target specific demographics largely determined by a combination of international events , domestic sensitivities , and geopolitics .
In reality , few immigration policies are purely one or the other . Germany , for example , has distinct economic and humanitarian components to its immigration policy . Its 2002 immigration law built a point system by which it considers migrants for admittance . The point system places an emphasis on demand-driven economic factors such that the demographics of admitted migrants are specified by the immediate needs of the labor market ; the law overtly favors “ skilled workers ” and entrepreneurs ( Oezcan , 2002 ). Germany ’ s policy also has
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