Migration is a natural part of the animal kingdom. It has also underpinned human progress historically — and will continue to do so.
Published Sep 25, 2023 • 3 minute read
Javier Morillo from Venezuela lifts up his eight-month-old son, Said Morillo, after they crossed the Rio Grande river at the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Sept. 24. Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS /AFP via Getty Images
In the grand tapestry of the animal kingdom, migration emerges as an ingrained instinct, and a vital survival strategy. It’s a phenomenon that resonates with all of us, whether or not we’re zoologists, as we observe it in the wonders of nature, or through mesmerizing documentaries like those narrated by the venerable David Attenborough. One such spectacle is the annual migration of millions of birds, returning to Canada each spring to nest and mate, only to embark on their southward journey in the fall.
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But it’s not only the animal kingdom that thrives on the freedom to move; it’s equally cherished by us, humans. Reflecting on our own history, we recognize that without the migration of early humans out of Africa some 60,000 years ago, and their subsequent journeys from one region to another in search of water, food and safety, our planet would not be the diverse and populated place it is today.
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Today, immigration stands as the modern manifestation of human migration, a strategy indispensable for our survival.
When we contemplate immigration, we often associate it with individuals fleeing war zones, catastrophes, persecution or economic hardships. While these situations indeed constitute crucial reasons for migration, it’s vital to understand that immigration plays a pivotal role in the survival and prosperity of the host countries as well. For instance, consider Canada, a country that actively welcomes immigrants as a means to sustain its economic growth. As noted by Statistics Canada, “Currently, annual immigration in Canada amounts to around 500,000 new immigrants.”
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The argument for the importance of immigration is not limited to Canada; it’s pertinent to a vast part of the world. Aging populations and declining birth rates are gradually leading to labor shortages in many countries. India, China, Indonesia, Brazil and Nigeria, with their large populations, might be exceptions, but for most of the rest of the world, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, the European Union member states, Australia, New Zealand and all nations struggling with population density and slow population growth, immigration emerges as a lifeline.
In the face of increasing right-wing politics and populism, which often harbour anti-immigration sentiments, a reckoning awaits. Those who adhere to anti-immigration ideologies must recognize that their stance is either at odds with economic realities now or will be in future.
In the words of the famous political axiom, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Every thriving economy requires an adequate workforce not only to maintain itself but also to expand. The majority of such workers are found beyond the boundaries of the global north. With the global north representing just about one-quarter of the world’s population and displaying much slower growth rates compared to the south, it becomes evident more and more that a diverse, international workforce is indispensable.
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Hence, those among right-wing politicians who are driven by racial motives will inevitably find it challenging to deliver economic policies that align with the needs of their constituencies. They will ultimately have to face the undeniable fact that, for political survival, they must adapt and embrace immigration as an economic necessity.
In this context, it’s important to emphasize that the necessity for immigration isn’t contingent upon race or ethnicity. The future of humanity lies in transcending tribalism and embracing the collective potential that diversity offers.
In conclusion, the trajectory is clear. Anti-immigration policies advocated by some right-wing factions will encounter a crossroads sooner or later. Earth’s population is inexorably moving towards a state of homogeneity, driven by the demands of the global economy and the imperative to sustain and advance human civilization.
Nature, it seems, is dictating the path forward — one that necessitates unity and cooperation for the benefit of all.
Mustafa Bahran is Yemen’s ex-minister of energy and electricity and a physics visiting professor and instructor at Carleton University.
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