Derek Cook’s Post

WORKSHOP - Status Matters: Exploring the Impact of Immigration Status on Poverty in Canada. Friday May 17, 1- 4. Still Time to Register Join Emilio Rodriguez from Citizens for Public Justice on May 17 for an interactive workshop exploring the role that immigration status plays in economic outcomes for migrants in Canada. This workshop is rooted in the lived experience of migrant communities and the advocates who work alongside them. Inspired by the book "A Renewed Canadian Welcome: Eleven Visions from Migrants and Advocates," set to be published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Participants will be immersed in a comprehensive exploration of how various immigration statuses—ranging from undocumented, to temporary foreign workers, to permanent residents—affect access to social services, employment opportunities, and legal protections. Through a blend of presentations, group discussions, and hands-on exercises, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers faced by migrants in Canada, and the policy solutions that could foster a more inclusive and equitable immigration system. Join in-person or online. For more information and to register, visit https://lnkd.in/gx3VPRSE Offered as part of the Canadian Poverty Institute's annual Poverty Studies Summer Institute. hashtag #Immigration hashtag #Migrant hashtag #MigrantRights hashtag #Poverty

We couldn’t agree more! It's great to see that the recommendations in this report align with the work we do at Borderlands. The findings in this article underscore the immense potential asylum seekers and refugees possess to enrich society. We strive to ensure that our members can access free English classes as soon as they arrive, rather than waiting for six months or more for college places. The article underscores the importance of initiatives like ours in fostering a fair and accountable approach to refugee integration. Key recommendations, such as allowing asylum seekers to work within six months of arrival, further emphasise the need to address the shortcomings in Britain’s asylum system. Let's continue advocating for change by turning exclusion into belonging. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/e46z9xwn #RefugeeIntegration #AsylumSystem #SocialJustice #RefugeeRights

Tap below to learn how your support helps us support refugees off of the streets 👇 Recovering from homelessness can be a complex journey. This is especially true for refugees and people with unclear immigration status. That's why we run a specialist immigration service 👇 https://lnkd.in/dr23mbrQ

🔔 What’s the track record on immigration for Kamala Harris’s newly minted running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz? During his tenure, Walz has maintained Minnesota’s reputation as a hub for refugee resettlement. And he’s expanded access to state benefits for some undocumented immigrants. 📢 Immigration has emerged as a major policy difference between the Republican and Democratic campaigns, and you can expect that Walz’s selection will help the Democrats draw a contrast with Donald Trump, who during his time in office unraveled the U.S. refugee resettlement system and instilled fear in the undocumented population. More on Walz: ◾ Throughout his tenure as governor, Walz has maintained Minnesota’s commitment to being a hub for refugee resettlement. He was critical of Trump’s 2019 executive action requiring states to consent to accepting refugees and in 2021 wrote a letter to President Biden stating that Minnesota would gladly accept Afghan refugees. ◾ At the end of the 2023 legislative session, Walz signed legislation that expands driver’s licenses, state health care, and college tuition assistance to the undocumented population. 

I had the privilege of attending an insightful webinar titled "Moving beyond borders: navigating the nexus of poverty, vulnerability and migration", presented by the International Bar Association (IBA) Poverty and Social Development Committee, supported by the IBA Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, Migration Law Interest Group (MLIG) of American Society of International Law (ASIL), and the HRREC - Human Rights Research and Education Centre of University of Ottawa. The webinar delved into the intricate dynamics of migration, particularly focusing on populations grappling with poverty and vulnerability. By exploring global perspectives and considering migration as a potential adaptation strategy, it fostered a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by these communities. Delphine Nakache shed light on vulnerability in the concept of temporary migration, such as for migrant workers, and the need for stronger recognition of how the realities of the current migration system create vulnerabilities, despite policy efforts by the Government of Canada. Ian Kysel brought to the fore the African Guiding Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, highlighting regional frameworks. My question on what structures could standardize the otherwise subjective determinations of migrant vulnerability by immigration officers was insightfully addressed. Special, special kudos to Christiana Essie Sagay for the excellent facilitation. I'm keen to collaborate on similar initiatives, lending my expertise in program management and data analysis. This webinar reinforced the urgency of addressing the nexus of poverty, vulnerability, and migration through a human rights-based approach.

How to handle the challenges of immigration to Europe? Rather than attempting to "control" the uncontrollable, Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency) proposes that we do this instead: ✅ Broker Peace in Critical Regions: Address the root causes of displacement, such as conflict, violence, and persecution, to reduce the number of people forced to flee their homes. ✅ Develop Fairer & More Efficient Asylum Systems: Improve the capacity of asylum procedures to speed up decisions and reduce backlogs, ensuring fair and humane treatment. ✅ Enable Multi-Level Processing of Asylum Claims: Process asylum claims both regionally and within the EU, allowing for better management and fair consideration of cases. ✅ Ensure Legal Migration Opportunities: Expand legal migration options, such as work visas and family reunification, to provide safe and structured pathways for people on the move. Link to the opinion (open access) in the comment. #migration #UNHCR #refugeeprotection #humanrights #asylumseekers #globalrefugeecrisis #refugeeswelcome #forcedmigration #refugeesupport #humanitarianaid #displacement #refugeeassistance #safepassage #refugeeadvocacy #migrantrights

White Paper on Citizenship approved   Cabinet has approved the White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee Protection for implementation. The policy, developed through extensive consultation across all nine provinces by the Department of Home Affairs, aims to establish a framework for managing citizenship, immigration, and refugee protection. It prioritizes national security interests while ensuring compliance with international migration agreements and protocols. Additionally, it seeks to advance South Africa's economic interests, transformation, and job creation initiatives.   Read more at https://lnkd.in/dCqSbBZg.   #WhitePaperApproval #Citizenship #immigration #RefugeeProtection  

TAKE ACTION: Right now is the chance to remind President Biden how important resettlement is for communities around the country. The resettlement program in the U.S. is more than just an opportunity — it’s a lifeline. It offers a chance for people who face danger for reasons beyond their control to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. And it’s a fantastic way to grow and build our economy! Here’s what you can do: Urge the Biden administration to commit to resettling at least 135,000 refugees 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJvbE6s2 #refugeeswelcome #refugeesupport #refugees #immigrationpolicy #immigration #immigrants #takeaction #economicgrowth #economy

At the end of last year, 75% of refugees live in low- and middle- income countries. Yet we tend to focus on policy responses in high-income regions like Europe and North America. This has left few theoretical frameworks for understanding the trends, determinants, and consequences of asylum policies in the Global South. In 2018, a team of researchers who wanted to help close this gap created the first comparable dataset of asylum policies in the Global South, a critical step toward a more balanced understanding of global refugee policy. Read the IPL study Christopher Blair, Guy Grossman, and Jeremy Weinstein conducted on the role between asylum policies and where forced migrants flee to within the Global South. #WorldRefugeeDay https://lnkd.in/gG2XbJmE 

Proper jobs, English classes and a refugee minister – this is how to fix Britain’s asylum system | Guli Francis-Dehqani: The mania for deportation is expensive, cruel and doesn’t work. My family history shows how the UK can benefit from refugees * Guli Francis-Dehqani is a member of the independent Commission on the Integration of Refugees This week, as the Rwanda bill ping-pongs between the Lords and the Commons, delaying even further the government’s unrealistic deportation plans for refugees, an independent commission has published some concrete solutions aimed at permanently fixing Britain’s failing asylum system. As one of the 22 members of this group, I have spent the past two years working on these recommendations, which could improve life for refugees and the wider British public, upskill the UK economy and raise a net income of more than £1bn. At the same time I have been opposing the scheme to send asylum seekers to Rwanda – the latest contentious and divisive plan from a government that is producing few realistic or cost-effective alternatives in an increasingly polarising area of policy. The government’s strategy to meet its target to clear the backlog of asylum claims by the end of 2023 and the Illegal Migration Act are just two others, and at the time of the commission concluding its work, the next steps on both were still not clear. Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani is the bishop of Chelmsford and the Church of England’s lead bishop for housing Continue reading... #Refugees #Immigrationandasylum #UKnews #Politics #Conservatives