Immigration Update: September 2024

Welcome to Emerson Collective’s Immigration Update, a monthly newsletter that seeks to make sense of important immigration-related developments by situating them in broader policy, political, and human contexts.

This month, we’re highlighting how the clean energy transition can create jobs for migrants and benefit communities. Climate change and migration are reshaping the world, and we’re focused on solutions that work for everyone. We also discuss the recent commitment from mayors in the Americas to chart a cooperative vision. Finally, new research shows immigrants help government budgets, countering some political claims.

As always, thank you for reading. Now, let’s dive in.

Marshall Fitz

• CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION: ADAPTATION AND TRANSFORMATION

• TRANSFORMING MIGRATION INTO OPPORTUNITY: THE MAYORS OF THE AMERICAS TASKFORCE

• WHAT DO IMMIGRANTS DO FOR GOVERNMENT BUDGETS? NEW RESEARCH HAS ANSWERS

CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION: ADAPTATION AND TRANSFORMATION

The consequences of climate change are not a distant concern—they are a present-day crisis, forcing millions of people around the world to leave their homes in search of safety and opportunity. As rising sea levels, extreme weather, record-breaking heat waves, floods, and droughts ravage communities, migration is becoming a primary means of adaptation for millions of people. But it is also presenting an opportunity to build stronger, more resilient societies.

During this year’s Climate Week in New York City, Emerson Collective presented a Climate Science Fair to amplify the voices of artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are deploying and scaling solutions across the country. These changemakers are showing the world that addressing the climate crisis isn’t just about adaptation—it's about transformation and creating pathways to a sustainable future for everyone. 

Additionally, a newly released report from C40 Cities, the Climate Migration Council, and the Mayors Migration Council sheds light on an underappreciated but crucial intersection in this transformation: the transition to a clean energy economy and the additive role that migration will play in its success. 

As industries around the globe move toward more sustainable practices, a massive influx of workers will be needed to fill labor gaps in emerging sectors like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green construction. Migrants, with their diverse skills, experiences, and incredible resilience, are uniquely positioned to help meet this demand.

What this report makes clear is that migration isn’t just a challenge to be managed—it’s a powerful asset. Migrants bring innovation and a strong work ethic, and their contributions can help power the very industries that are leading us into a cleaner, more sustainable future. As we reimagine the workforce of tomorrow, we must recognize that human mobility is not a threat but a tool to drive economic growth and achieve our climate goals.

At this critical juncture, we have a unique opportunity. By aligning migration policies with the goals of the green energy transition, we can ensure that labor gaps are filled, businesses are strengthened, and communities become more resilient. But this can’t happen in silos. It requires collaboration at every level—local, national, and international. We need governments, businesses, and civil society working together to create pathways that are not only inclusive but also equitable. Only then will we be able to unlock the full potential of migrants as both an economic and sustainable development force.

TRANSFORMING MIGRATION INTO OPPORTUNITY: THE MAYORS OF THE AMERICAS TASKFORCE

On Monday, September 23, we launched a groundbreaking initiative: the Mayors of the Americas Taskforce on Migration. This taskforce represents a bold step forward in how we approach the movement of people across borders, recognizing that cities are at the forefront of addressing migration. With Mayors Carlos Galán of Bogotá (Colombia) and Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio (U.S.) as founding members, the taskforce will unite mayors from cities across the hemisphere to advance migration management responses.

Local leaders, especially mayors, are uniquely positioned to transform migration from a perceived challenge into a powerful opportunity. Every day, they see firsthand how newcomers can breathe new life into communities, drive economic growth, and foster cultural vibrancy. By working together through this taskforce, these leaders are setting the stage for cities across the Americas to not just manage migration, but to harness it as a source of strength.

The U.S. State Department also organized an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to promote collaborative migration management: the fourth ministerial of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. At the event, 22 nations from the Western Hemisphere discussed progress and new commitments on advancing the three pillars of the LA Declaration: supporting the stabilization and integration of displaced migrant communities; expanding legal pathways for migration and protection; and strengthening humane enforcement. 

For the first time, however, in response to the launch of this new mayoral Taskforce and in recognition of the vital role of local leaders in advancing those pillars, the US government invited a subnational representative to join the table of ministers. This marks an important step toward more systematic inclusion of subnational actors in regional migration management conversations. Collaboration at every level of government will be imperative if we are to achieve the goal of embracing migration as an asset and opportunity. 

WHAT DO IMMIGRANTS DO FOR GOVERNMENT BUDGETS? NEW RESEARCH HAS ANSWERS

New research discussed in a recent WSJ article provides data-driven insights that challenge outdated assumptions. It shows that immigrants—whether skilled workers or those filling essential roles—are contributing positively to public finances in ways many may not expect. 

The research shows that high-skilled immigrants greatly benefit government budgets. For low-skilled migrants, the impact is more complex. While their direct contributions may be smaller, when factoring in their role in boosting productivity and generating extra revenue, the overall economic effect of migration is more positive than traditional models suggest.

These findings align with what many of us have long argued and the evidence has consistently borne out: that immigrants are not just workers, but economic contributors who support public services, drive innovation, and fuel long-term growth. 

As we continue to shape a more inclusive and forward-thinking approach to immigration policy, this kind of research underscores the importance of embracing immigrants as a key part of the solution. Whether we’re talking about labor shortages, the clean energy transition, or fiscal sustainability, immigration is not a challenge to be contained but an opportunity to be seized.