With the planet poised to enter its third year reckoning with COVID-19, the pandemic’s effects have evolved. After international movement came to a virtual halt in 2020, borders gradually began to reopen this year, before snapping shut in places again with the arrival of the Delta and Omicron variants. The rollout of vaccines, uneven as it is, has given hope to many migrants and international travelers.

As you might expect, the pandemic was central to multiple aspects of our Top 10 Migration Issues of 2021, whether directly or more subtly. But COVID-19 was not the only issue that the globe grappled with this year. As we compiled the list, I was reminded of the broad array of factors that can influence individuals’ decisions to migrate and affect government policies.

For instance, high on our list is the move by several governments in South America and the Caribbean, most notably Colombia, to provide legal status to millions of refugees and other migrants from Venezuela. The pandemic played some role in convincing policymakers in Bogotá and elsewhere of the benefits of regularizing often vulnerable migrants. But it was just one of many issues undergirding these policies, including broader geopolitical and domestic concerns.

Meanwhile, the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan spurred one of the most dramatic wartime evacuations in recent decades. More than 122,000 people had been airlifted from Kabul by the time the U.S. military departed in August, many of them former military translators, guides, and others who faced danger under the Taliban. The consequences of the takeover appear dire and are likely to be long-lasting, with Afghanistan on the precipice of famine, economic disaster, and harsh new rule.

In the United States, President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January promised a sharp break from his predecessor, Donald Trump, for migration policymaking in the world’s top immigrant-destination country. But this promise was only partially fulfilled, and significant policies of the Trump administration have persisted particularly at the border, due to a combination of factors including resistance from the courts and state governments.

I invite you to read the Top 10 list, where we discuss these and other events.

As we wrap up the year, I should also note that 2021 marks MPI’s 20th anniversary, which we celebrated with a high-level conference. Publishing the Migration Information Source has been a cherished tradition at MPI since shortly after our founding, and my colleagues and I would like to thank you for your support of our work. We look forward to bringing you engaging and nuanced articles that capture aspects of the endlessly fascinating and changing world of migration into the new year and beyond.

Best regards,
Julian Hattem
Editor, Migration Information Source
[email protected]