MPI's Migration Information Source Newsletter

********************************************

October 3, 2019

********************************************

Feature
As Lesvos Battles Migration Crisis Fatigue, the Value of Centralized Migration Decision-Making Is Questioned
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/lesvos-centralized-migration-management
As Greece's Aegean islands continue to grapple with migrants arriving on their shores, decisions regarding the needs of newcomers are negotiated in Brussels and Athens, far removed from the situation on the ground. Meanwhile, local communities have had successes in hosting migrants, as this article drawing on observations from the hospitality center and refugee camp on Lesvos explores.

Feature
Years After Crimea's Annexation, Integration of Ukraine's Internally Displaced Population Remains Uneven
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/fyears-after-crimea-annexation-integration-ukraine-internally-displaced-population
With nearly 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), Ukraine is home to one of the largest IDP populations in the world. Five years after Russia's annexation of Crimea, displaced Ukrainians continue to face challenges related to national identity, social cohesion, and political participation. While the Ukrainian government has had some success integrating IDPs, the conflict's end remains uncertain, and many are unlikely to return to their communities of origin no matter the outcome.

********************************************

EDITOR'S NOTE

Nearly 14,000 refugees and asylum seekers live in a state of limbo in Indonesia, remaining at the margins of society as they face dim prospects for resettlement elsewhere. Long a country of transit and emigration, Indonesia is ill-equipped to deal with this population. It is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and so has no international legal obligation to provide services to migrants seeking protection. Despite a 2016 regulation outlining how to manage arrival and provide basic accommodation and emergency services for those seeking protection, local authorities have been hesitant to draw on their own funds. Without money or government recognition, the newcomers suffer from a lack of basic services, and are unable to legally work, access formal education, or use other public goods.

Seventy-one percent of refugees and asylum seekers in Indonesia come from just three countries: Afghanistan, Somalia, and Myanmar (those arriving from the latter mostly ethnic Rohingya). The newcomers hoped that their stay in Indonesia would be a short one, aiming for resettlement in Australia or other Western countries. While Australia accepts refugees through its resettlement program (in 2018, its resettlement of 12,706 refugees ranked third in global resettlement), the country's position toward those in Indonesia has changed. In 2000, Australia, Indonesia, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed an agreement whereby Australia would provide funding to the Indonesian government and IOM to intercept and assist asylum seekers transiting through the country on their way to Australia. Those who were found in need of protection would be referred for resettlement, with many ending up in Australia.

But as Australia hardened its policies toward the arrival of boat people, such resettlements became increasingly difficult. In 2014, the country ended resettlement of asylum seekers or refugees registered in Indonesia, on the grounds that the prospect for resettlement encouraged people to travel to Indonesia as a way-station to Australia. To further discourage irregular migrants and smuggling operations, in 2018 Australia cut off funding under the 2000 agreement with IOM and Indonesia.

Without support from the Australian and Indonesian governments, international organizations, or local authorities, these migrants in Indonesia are stranded, with few resources or prospects. Indeed, reports of migrants suffering from severe physical and mental health issues have surfaced. During the summer, several hundred took to living on the street outside of UNHCR Indonesia's offices in central Jakarta before being relocated to a temporary shelter in the western part of the city, despite protests staged by local residents. By August 31, the newcomers were told to leave the shelter, as funding had run out. During the past few weeks, individuals seeking protection have once again moved to the sidewalks outside the UNHCR offices, staging demonstrations.

In the face of such frustrating circumstances, some have taken matters into their own hands. The Refugee Learning Center was founded by refugees in 2015 to provide educational services while also acting as a place for the community to gather. Entrepreneurship training has been conducted by Indonesian businesspeople interested in helping refugees and asylum seekers become self-sufficient. However, a patchwork of programs will do little to assist this population in the long term. Without a clear path toward integration in Indonesia or resettlement in a third country, challenges will persist.

Best regards,

Alexandra Vranas-Carita

Editor, Migration Information Source

[email protected]

********************************************

NEW FROM MPI

As the United States Resettles Fewer Refugees, Some Countries and Religions Face Bigger Hits than Others
www.migrationpolicy.org/news/united-states-refugee-resettlement-some-countries-religions-face-bigger-hits
By Mark Greenberg, Julia Gelatt, and Amy Holovnia

On the Brink: Prospects for UK Nationals in the EU-27 after a No-Deal Brexit
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/uk-nationals-eu-27-no-deal-brexit
By Meghan Benton and Aliyyah Ahad

Investing in the Neighborhood: Changing Mexico-U.S. Migration Patterns and Opportunities for Sustainable Cooperation
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/mexico-us-migration-opportunities-sustainable-cooperation
By Andrew Selee, Silvia E. Giorguli-Saucedo, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, and Claudia Masferrer

Invertir en el vecindario: Cambios en los patrones de migración entre México y Estados Unidos y oportunidades para una cooperación sostenible
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/migracion-mexico-estados-unidos-cooperacion-sostenible
Por Andrew Selee, Silvia E. Giorguli-Saucedo, Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, and Claudia Masferrer

********************************************

HAVE YOU READ

Stepping into the Vacuum: State and Cities Act on Immigration, But Do Restrictions Work?
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/stepping-vacuum-state-and-cities-act-immigration-do-restrictions-work

Immigrants in the Smart City: The Potential of City Digital Strategies to Facilitate Immigrant Integration
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/immigrants-smart-city-potential-city-digital-strategies-facilitate-immigrant-integration

From Humanitarian to Economic: The Changing Face of Vietnamese Migration
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/humanitarian-economic-changing-face-vietnamese-migration

********************************************

***Join Our List***
If a friend has forwarded this email to you and you would like to continue receiving the Migration Information Source newsletter, you can subscribe here:
www.migrationpolicy.org/signup/source

***Sign Up for RSS Feed***
Subscribe to our RSS feed for news of the latest articles
www.migrationpolicy.org/feeds/83/rss.xml

***Unsubscribe***
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you can unsubscribe here:
[link removed]

_______________________________________________________________

The Migration Information Source
A project of the Migration Policy Institute
1400 16th Street, NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036 USA
tel: (001) 202-266-1940; fax: (001) 202-266-1900
email: [email protected]

Copyright @ 2019 Migration Policy Institute. All rights reserved.