Hein de Haas

An authoritative analysis that busts 22 deep-rooted myths about migration - and sets out a new way to think about it Global migration is not at an all-time high. Climate change will not lead to mass migration. Immigration mainly benefits the wealthy, not workers. Border restrictions have paradoxically produced more migration. These statements might sound counter-intuitive or just outright wrong - but the facts behind the headlines reveal a completely different story to the ones we're told about migration. In this ground-breaking and revelatory book, based on more than three decades of research, leading expert Professor Hein de Haas explodes myths espoused by both left and right that politicians, interest groups and media regularly spread about migration. Comparing trends and perspectives from Western 'destination countries' (UK, US and Europe) as well as 'origin countries' in Asia, Africa and Latin America, de Haas equips readers with essential knowledge on migration based on the best evidence and data, showing migration not as a problem to be solved, nor as a solution to a problem, but as it really is. Above all, How Migration Really Works offers a new vision of migration based on facts rather than fears, and a paradigm-altering understanding of this perennially important subject.

A Factful Guide to the Most Divisive Issue in Politics

How Migration Really Works

Cassandra Tang

European colonialism is arguably the biggest illegal migration in human history.

These countries asked them to come – it was an immigration choisie. Contrary to popular images, most migrants did not just ‘show up’ or ‘pour in’ or leave their homes out of desperation, but were workers who were actively sought in origin countries.

Immigrants don’t steal jobs, they fill vacancies. Immigration is primarily a response to labour shortages caused by a dwindling supply of local workers willing and able to do various manual jobs in agriculture, construction, cleaning, domestic work and various other services.

... the main reason why elected leaders revert to often ineffective (but symbolically powerful) enforcement measures such as border walls is to create the appearance of control.

... the freer people are to stay and go where they want, the less obsessed they are with leaving and the higher the chance that they will return.

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