Chapter 5 Urban partnerships to manage mobility
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Text box 26
Multilevel migration governance of the United States4 In the United States, policies for migrant integration emanate from different levels of government. Federal level – sets high-level immigration policy, for instance, in terms of the provision of a permanent solution for undocumented immigrant status or an adjustment to visa quotas. There are also national laws that directly and indirectly influence the integration of immigrant newcomers into the United States such as birthright citizenship that is given to a newborn child, even of undocumented migrants, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlaws discrimination due to race, colour, religion or country of origin. State level – enjoys considerable independence in creating a variety of policies and laws. State-based legislation is a major factor in the opportunity structures for immigrants, such as the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM) that helps social mobility among migrants. State governments control the appropriation of funds for migrant services, health and education, and set residency requirements for educational institutions. Whether they accept foreign credentials, recognize professional licences, issue driver’s licences to undocumented immigrants, permit in-state tuition or choose to enforce federal laws, these issues are driven primarily by state rather than federal legislation. City level – In order to promote immigration as a component of social and economic development, mayors of large, medium-sized and small cities are formalizing offices dedicated to improving services and engaging immigrant communities through enhanced collaboration with community organizations, academic institutions and the private sector. In the absence of a formal entity to address immigrant affairs, due to a lack of political support, funding and other resources, civic programmes play a critical role and reflect the specific needs of a metropolitan area, such as economic development and business growth by the immigrant population. Global Detroit coordinates numerous immigrant integration and economic development efforts in the region in an effort to revitalize southeast Michigan’s economy. Policy fragmentation at the national and local level is a major challenge to migration governance (OECD, 2006). While national policymakers pursue coherence and control over migrants’ access to services, cities have specific challenges in ensuring inclusivity and integration of immigrants. The sanctuary city movement in the United States (see text box 27) is an effort by local jurisdictions and activists to reform federal immigration policies and to challenge federal immigration laws that are perceived to be unfair or unjust. 4
Based on J. Kerr, P. McDaniel and M. Guinan, Reimagining the Midwest: Immigration Initiatives and the Capacity of Local Leadership. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 2014; and M. Price, Cities Welcoming Immigrants: Local Strategies to Attract and Retain Immigrants in US Metropolitan Areas, 2014. Background Paper for the World Migration Report 2015: Migrants and Cities: New Partnerships to Manage Mobility, IOM, Geneva.