Global Program
The Global Program acts as a policy laboratory for innovative, evidence-based, and politically feasible solutions to migration policy challenges. From direct policy advice to deep comparative research, its work interrogates policy design and effectiveness, helps countries newer to immigration learn from innovation and evidence in other regions, and anticipates how demographic, economic, and technological shifts will reshape migration in the years ahead. It supports governments in responding to crises with greater coordination and foresight, and provides a trusted off-the-record space for engaging with sensitive topics. Its main geographical focus is Europe, the Americas, and Australia, but it increasingly works with governments and other partners worldwide, including in East Africa and Asia. For more on the Global Program, click here.
Featured
Population Aging Is Here. Immigration Can Offer Half an Answer.
Immigration on its own cannot solve population aging, but five policy principles can help it play a more effective role in a broader demographic…
Creating Inclusive Urban Economies for Migrants and Refugees
Cities hold powerful levers to turn migrants' and refugees' underused talent into economic growth—but doing so requires moving beyond first…
More Featured Work
Key Statistics
International migrants comprise 3.7 percent of the global population. Learn more about them
304.0 million
The number of migrants globally in 2024
50.6 million
The number who as of 2025 were refugees or asylum seekers
94.0 million
The number of international migrants in Europe—the top destination globally
Showing 601–610 of 696 results
The Faltering U.S. Refugee Protection System: Legal and Policy Responses to Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Others in Need of Protection
Security-driven policies, new barriers to asylum, and weak integration support have left the U.S. refugee protection system less robust than it was two decades ago.
Policies to Curb Unauthorized Employment
To work, a coherent strategy to curb illegal employment must combine employer sanctions, expanded legal channels for less-skilled workers, and domestic labor market reforms.
Obstacles and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation: The U.S.-Mexico Case
The U.S.-Mexico case shows regional migration cooperation is possible despite obstacles if interests align, especially on border management and co-development.
Pay-to-Go Schemes and Other Noncoercive Return Programs: Is Scale Possible?
Pay-to-go and other noncoercive return programs can be more humane and cost effective than removals, but weak take-up and sustainability make large-scale use difficult.
Discussion on the Situation of Colombian Refugees in Panama and Ecuador
Representatives from a November 2010 trip to the region present the findings from their trip.
Giving Back to India: The Forms and Accomplishments of Indian-American Philanthropy
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Migration Policy Institute, and the Indian Council for Overseas Employment hosted a panel discussion , with a keynote address by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Secretary. This panel discussion was held in association with maximum INDIA - A festival of Indian arts and culture at the Kennedy Center.
Immigrant Integration in Europe in a Time of Austerity
Across Europe, immigrant integration policies and budgets diverged after the financial crisis, shaped by national politics and broad austerity pressures.
Transatlantic Cooperation on Travelers' Data Processing: From Sorting Countries to Sorting Individuals
Transatlantic cooperation on traveler data now targets individuals. Lasting agreements must bridge U.S.–EU gaps on privacy and redress.
A New Architecture for Border Management
Information-driven, risk-based “smart border” systems push controls away from the physical frontier toward advance data screening, while raising ethical concerns.
The Evolution of Border Controls as a Mechanism to Prevent Illegal Immigration
Modern border controls combine technology and risk profiling. But without legal channels, they often displace rather than deter irregular migration.