Immigration Systems

Spotlight on Temporary Admissions of Nonimmigrants to the United States

Temporary U.S. visa admissions nearly doubled from 1990 to 2006.

Little Job Growth Makes Labor Migration and Remittances the Norm in Post-Soviet Armenia

In post-Soviet Armenia, weak job creation and persistent poverty have made labor migration and large remittance inflows a central pillar of household survival.

USCIS: Backlog in Naturalization Applications Will Take Nearly Three Years to Clear

The U.S. 2007 naturalization surge stretched processing to 16 to 18 months, even as new federal and state rules tightened ID checks and employer sanctions.

Weaknesses in the Visa Waiver Program

Behind the Naturalization Backlog: Causes, Context and Concerns

A surge of naturalization applications in 2007, combined with outdated systems and security checks, produced a sharp backlog threatening timely access to U.S. citizenship.

The Proposed European Blue Card System: Arming for the Global War for Talent?

The European Union’s Blue Card proposal exposes tensions between common rules, national control, and the deeper reforms needed to attract highly skilled workers.

USCIS Faces Criticism over Visa Backlog

Growing application volumes, added security checks, and resource constraints have led to prolonged U.S. visa processing delays.

South Korea Opens Its Arms

Once proud of its homogeneity, South Korea began pivoting in 2007 and declared itself "the leader of embracing foreigners.”

Wanted More Than Ever: The Highly Skilled

The EU Blue Card proposal marked 2007's boldest move in a global race to attract skilled migrants.

Testing Immigrants — Literally

Multiple countries raised or imposed language and civics requirements in 2007, all in the name of integration.