U.S., Europe in same binds on immigration

The U.S. immigration debate naturally centers on domestic challenges, but a University of Missouri professor contends America has much to learn from Europe’s experience integrating and accommodating outsiders.

Joyce Marie Mushaben will discuss European immigration patterns Friday, Sept. 21 at the UNM Continuing Education Center. Mushaben is the second lecturer in the Albuquerque International Association’s four-part series on global and domestic immigration trends and challenges. The lecture includes a question-and-answer session.

	If you go WHAT: Lecture on “Immigration, Anti-Discrimination, Citizenship: What Can the U.S. Learn From the European Union?” by Dr. Joyce Marie Mushaben, University of Missouri WHERE: UNM Continuing Education Auditorium, 1634 University NE, Albuquerque WHEN: 3-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 COST: $15 for AIA members; $20 for nonmembers; free for students with proper ID MORE INFORMATION: Go to www.abqinternational.org

In a Journal interview, Mushaben said she will discuss how the 1989 collapse of the Iron Curtain – the physical and ideological barriers dividing Europe during much of the 20th Century – led to a dramatic enlargement of the European Union and sparked debates in EU member states about citizenship and human-rights standards.

Meanwhile, the rise of globalization triggered transnational competitions for the smartest and most innovative and entrepreneurial immigrants. But today, many European countries are battling an immigration backlash as some citizens worry they and their indigenous cultures are being displaced.

Mushaben said there is a “demographic crisis” facing Germany, Italy and other European nations as their populations rapidly age.

“About half of Germany’s population is going to be over the age of 55 by 2025,” Mushaben said. “Think of the social security burden that will impose on not only Germany, but Italy and all of the eastern European states.”

Mushaben also will analyze the sometimes-contradictory effects of national and local immigration policies in Europe – a problem frequently cited by member of Congress when describing America’s immigration challenge.

“The national governments in the EU are trying to hang on to what they consider to be the last bastion of national sovereignty,” Mushaben said. “Local governments have to provide all of the services to deal with the problem.”

“Whether national governments want to admit the problem exists or not is what creates this paradox,” she added.

Mushaben also said she’ll talk about gender issues related to immigration.

“Both the U.S. and Europe are really sort-of ignoring differences between the status of women and men and the opportunities we accord migrant women in both places,” she said.

“There are a whole lot of lessons we could be picking up,” Mushaben added. “But we certainly don’t see the state governments paying any attention to Europe.”