Issues under Fire: Immigration is a Global Concern

Issues under Fire: Immigration is a Global Concern

During an examination and analysis of the EU's election results this weekend, some interesting issues like social mobility, freedom of movement and immigration were exposed, hotly percolating just below the surface. Right of Center Parties across the continent achieved unprecedented gains on anti-immigration and Euro-skeptic platforms.

Cutting to the core of the Union's efforts to encourage freedom of movement for the purpose of social mobility and economic growth, many Europeans are beginning to rethink and reject the benefits of the open borders environment. When measured against the cost of lowered wages, the additional strain on social programs, crime and the blurring of cultural identities, more nationalistic and isolationist voices have become louder and more acceptable.

While the United States is content ignoring its "under reported" immigration issues, European voters have stepped up to address concerns they feel are negatively impacting the direction of their individual nation states. Risking the charge of being rooted in "race and religious" intolerance, Far Right activist have made a compelling enough case, that it rattled French President Francios Hollande's cage, as he lost big to Marine Le Pen's far right National Front Party.

Still, many continue to argue hardened borders actually stifles social mobility and constrains economic growth. Many Europeans in the middle and center left see stronger job opportunities through the exchange of international skills and talent, than solely relying on domestically developed human resources.

Considering how much the united States now depends in foreign brain power to fuel its tech sector, this is a hard argument to combat. Besides, many an open mind have found, there's far more benefits to holding the European Union together than meets the average eye. If time permits, we'll discuss some of them tomorrow. Podcast below.

Bottom line: No matter how Europe's collision of ideas is resolved, it could have a significant impact on how the United States proceeds with reforming its immigration laws. Perhaps, how Europe deals with its immigration concerns can be a road map for approaching underlying issues yet to be debated out loud in the states. That is of course, if the United States Congress ever gets around to doing something or anything again.

The Podcast: