Legalization/Regularization
Explore all research, analysis, data, and commentary on regularization and legalization, the terms used in different parts of the world to describe the provision of temporary or permanent legal status to migrants resident in the country who lack legal status.
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The Ukrainian Conflict Could Be a Tipping Point for Refugee Protection
Recent displacement crises—ranging from Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Myanmar, South Sudan, to most recently Ukraine—have imposed huge stresses on the humanitarian protection regime. Yet individual countries and regional organizations have been innovating to meet the challenge and expand the options available for protection, in some cases bypassing beleaguered asylum systems. This commentary traces the rise of more ad hoc approaches.
Straight Path to Legal Permanent Residence for Afghan Evacuees Would Build on Strong U.S. Precedent
Dating to the 1950s, Congress on multiple occasions has provided a direct path to permanent residence for Hungarians, Vietnamese, Cubans, and others fleeing upheaval in their countries. Given this precedent, this commentary suggests Congress should act to provide a more secure future for the more than 72,000 Afghans who were airlifted to the United States under an uncertain immigration status known as parole.
Four Years of Profound Change: Immigration Policy during the Trump Presidency
President Donald Trump's administration completed 472 executive actions from 2017 to 2021, narrowing humanitarian protections and restricting legal immigration.
Biden at One: Assessing the Administration’s Immigration Record
One year into President Joe Biden's term, this discussion examined the administration's track record on immigration and what lay ahead.
Immigration Has Been a Defining, Often Contentious, Element Throughout U.S. History
Largely unchanged since 1965, the U.S. immigration system is buckling under record backlogs, enforcement costs, and deepening partisan gridlock.
South Africa Reckons with Its Status as a Top Immigration Destination, Apartheid History, and Economic Challenges
Africa's top immigrant destination, South Africa struggles to balance regional migration demands against high unemployment, xenophobia, and an asylum system that rejects most cases.
The State of Costa Rican Migration and Immigrant Integration Policy
Costa Rica’s migration system faces key gaps in regularization access, labor market integration, and coordination. Nicaraguans and newer arrivals face particular barriers.
El estado de la política migratoria y de integración de Costa Rica
Costa Rica, con la mayor tasa de migrantes en la región, debe reformar su marco de regularización e integración para responder a un tercer ciclo migratorio más complejo.
U.S. Immigration Reform Denied: Destined to Repeat the Cycle of Failure?
Immigration reform failed in 2006, 2007, and 2013—so what would it take to break the cycle?
Building a Modern U.S. Immigration and Asylum System in the National Interest
History rhymes on U.S. immigration—but former INS Commissioner Doris Meissner says the stakes today are categorically different.