Refugees & Asylum

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Visual Portrayals of Migrants as Threats or Victims Are Reductive—But Can Have Far-Reaching Impact

Images of migrants as threats or victims dominate public discourse and drive policy, but reductive visual narratives strip individuals of agency and rarely reflect the full human story.

A person views photos in an art exhibition

The Unauthorized Immigrant Population Expands amid Record U.S.-Mexico Border Arrivals

The U.S. unauthorized immigrant population stood at 13.7 million as of mid-2023. The result of strong U.S. economic recovery from the pandemic and displacement in Latin America, the increase in the size of the unauthorized population is accompanied by a diversifying makeup in nationalities. As Mexico's share of the overall unauthorized population has declined, the shares from Central and South America, in particular, have increased.

Photo of migrants in line at port of entry in Brownsville awaiting possible entry

Policy Paradox: How robust host-country support for Ukrainian refugees can foster integration and return

European governments hosting Ukrainian refugees have an opportunity to craft policies that deepen local inclusion while also fortifying Ukrainians if they seek to return home. By prioritizing comprehensive and durable support systems now, leaders can lay the groundwork for a future that benefits both those who stay and those who eventually choose to return, as this MPI Europe short read explains.

Stories of Climate Change and Migration to the U.S.-Mexico Border

When climate disasters strike communities across the Americas, do they drive people to migrate — or do they set in motion a chain of events that ultimately does?

One of the World’s Largest Refugee Populations, Afghans Have Faced Increasing Restrictions in Iran

Iran hosts the world's largest refugee population—nearly all Afghan—but decades of deepening restrictions, mass deportations, and rising anti-Afghan sentiment have put millions at risk.

An Afghan woman in the Semnan refugee settlement in Iran.

Jimmy Carter and Immigration: A Wide-Ranging Legacy That Remains Relevant Today

The passing of the nation’s 39th president has sparked numerous assessments of the Carter presidency, yet few have focused on the wide-ranging legacy that Jimmy Carter left in the immigration realm. The Carter presidency illustrates the long history of authorities that remain in use today, including parole and creation of lawful pathways to admit people in orderly ways, and the persistent roots of issues such as spontaneous migration from the Caribbean.