The Future of Migration Policy in a Volatile Political Landscape

In many corners of Europe and the United States, a wave of support for politicians touting populist and nativist platforms has rocked the foundations of mainstream politics. These populists have tapped into a deep sense of grievance among voters who feel they have lost out amid globalization, labor-market volatility, and rapid social change. Importantly, while many discussions of nativist populism have focused on electoral gains and losses, these actors’ influence on policy and public narratives—particularly in the area of immigration—runs much deeper.

This Transatlantic Council Statement, which caps a series on immigration policymaking in a volatile political landscape, explores the social and political factors that have bolstered support for populism, how these forces are reshaping immigration policy from within and outside government, and how other political actors are responding. It also lays out recommendations for how to reclaim a lost political middle ground and fashion a new consensus around immigration.

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