Is Control over Migration an Asset? And If It Is, Who Can Make the Most of It?

in a nutshell #6
Stefan Schlegel
March 2017

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Messages for Decision-Makers

“Control over migration” is a valuable asset of which – theoretically – either the country of destination or migrants themselves can dispose.

Immigration law regulates essentially who owns this asset and how it can be transferred.

The allocation of this asset in society is of great importance with respect to the level and distribution of its wealth.

Current immigration law does not allocate this asset optimally. The “pie” is thus much smaller than it could be.

Invoking the “efficiency” of migration policy is pointless if all of the effects on all of those affected are not taken into account.