Part A: Four Summaries of Migration Myths
de Hass, Hein. How Migration Really Works
Myth 2: Borders are beyond control
This myth says that illegal immigration is making national borders too crowded and
overwhelmed, which in turn makes many people believe that Western countries have completely
lost control over their borders. When migrants and asylum seekers are referred to as "swarms,"
"caravans," or "exodus," sensationalist media and fear-based political discourse portray unlawful
movement as an "invasion." Political personalities including Donald Trump, David Cameron,
and Suella Braverman have used alarming language to spread fear and justify tighter border
controls. However, Hein de Haas explains that these tales significantly modify the facts. The
majority of international migrants move legally, with valid papers. The proportion of illegal
immigration to total immigration is quite low. Only 3–3.5% of non-EU migrants enter Europe
illegally each year, and the majority of undocumented migrants are visa overstayers rather than
migrants who cross borders. Despite the fact that there are more undocumented immigrants in
the United States than in Europe, illegal migration has been relatively steady over the last two
decades. Rises in migration, like the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, are frequently used by media
outlets to create a sense of an emergency because they are presented in recurring patterns. De
Haas also eliminates the myth that migrants are completely undesirable or uninvited guests.
Many migrants, including those without legal status, fill labour shortages in industries like care,
hospitality, domestic work, and agriculture. In the past, companies and governments have
actively sought out migrant labour, which initially fueled the need for migration. Because they
offer affordable labour, even illegal migrants often get accepted. De Haas maintains that weak
immigration systems that are unable to coordinate legal pathways with labour market demands
are the real problem, not border failure. Therefore, the concept that borders are uncontrollable is
an illusion rooted more in political opportunism and fear than in fact, underscoring the need for
balanced policies that align border management with economic realities and humanitarian
obligations.
de Hass, Hein. How Migration Really Works
Myth 5: Development in poor countries will reduce migration
This myth holds that economic improvement in poor countries will reduce migration to wealthier
countries by addressing poverty, inequality, and other so called root causes of migration.
International organizations, aid agencies, and political leaders have frequently adopted this
narrative to justify trade liberalization and foreign aid as tools for migration control. Hein de
Haas claims, however, that this idea is not only wrong but also dangerously misleading. In
reality, migration usually rises in response to economic progress, at least in the early stages. As
poor countries develop, people gain the financial, intellectual, and informational resources
needed to move. Migration is costly, requiring planning, connections, and purpose, and these
become more accessible as living standards improve. De Haas’s long term research in Morocco
illustrates this paradox: as incomes rose, infrastructure improved, and literacy increased, more
people chose to migrate, particularly to Europe. This was not a sign of desperation but rather of
expanded choices. Similar patterns have emerged in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin
America. Historically, the same trend occurred in nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century
Europe, when emigration surged during periods of economic growth rather than decline.
Migration rates tend to increase when nations transition from low- to middle-income status, often
because citizens are better equipped to seek opportunities abroad. They only begin to decline
once countries reach high-income levels — and even then, the shift is gradual. Development,
therefore, can act as a catalyst for migration rather than a brake on it. De Haas contends that
migration should be understood as a natural and even necessary part of societal transformation.
As awareness of opportunities abroad expands alongside the capacity to pursue them, the desire
to move often grows. Policies based on the assumption that poverty reduction will automatically
lower migration overlook these realities, and in many cases, inadvertently stimulate migration
flows, underscoring the need for evidence-based strategies rather than simplistic deterrence
narratives.
de Hass, Hein. How Migration Really Works
Myth 7: We Don’t Need Migrant Workers
The myth that migrant labour is no longer necessary for modern economies is frequently spread
by populist arguments and demands for stricter border controls. In order to contradict this idea,
Hein de Haas explains how migrant workers continue to be essential to many economic sectors.
This is particularly true for those who are marked by low pay and poor working conditions, like
construction, hospitality, caregiving, manufacturing, seasonal farm work, and agriculture. Often,
native workers are unwilling to perform these duties because they are physically demanding,
socially undervalued, or financially unattractive. Employers therefore struggle to fill vacancies
and must rely heavily on migrant labour, even in nations with persistently high unemployment
rates. Populist arguments and calls for more difficult border controls regularly spread the idea
that migrant labour is no longer required in today’s economies. To argue against this claim, Hein
de Haas describes how migrant labourers remain vital to numerous economic sectors. Many of
these roles involve long hours, high physical strain, and limited opportunities for career
advancement, making them less appealing to native-born workers despite their essential
contribution to the economy. These jobs are often highly strenuous, undervalued by society, and
offer limited financial incentives. For this reason, even in countries where unemployment rates
are consistently high, employers struggle to find suitable candidates for such positions and are
ultimately forced to rely significantly on migrant labour. Demographic factors, such as aging
populations and declining birth rates, further intensify the demand for workers in sectors like
health care, aged care, agriculture, manufacturing, and other essential services. These undeniable
realities are often conveniently overlooked by those promoting the idea that migrant labour is no
longer required. In truth, most developed nations depend heavily on the skills, flexibility,
dedication, and resilience of migrant workers. This exposes contrary arguments as political
posturing rather than sound, evidence-based economic reasoning, and highlights the urgent need
to design labour policies that recognize the indispensable role of migrant workers in sustaining
modern economies.
de Hass, Hein. How Migration Really Works
Myth 8: Immigrants Steal Jobs and Drive Down Wages
One of the most common myths about immigration is that immigrants take jobs from native born
individuals. The claim is that this reduces wages and limits opportunities for locals. Hein de
Haas challenges this belief by explaining that labour markets are not zero sum systems where
one person’s gain automatically means another person’s loss. In many industries such as
construction, household work, agriculture, food processing, and seasonal farm labour,
immigrants often take on jobs that locals are unwilling or unable to do. They fill roles that might
otherwise remain empty, which supports native workers and allows businesses to operate
effectively and consistently. Without them, many positions would go unfilled and productivity
would decline. De Haas points out that political exaggeration and sensationalist media coverage
are the main drivers of fear about job competition. Evidence from research often shows that
immigration has only a small and sometimes positive effect on wages and employment levels.
By increasing the demand for products and services, immigration can help create jobs and
stimulate economic growth in many communities. When immigrants settle in a community, they
spend money, open businesses, pay taxes, and require housing, education, and public services.
All of these activities contribute to the local economy in both direct and indirect ways.
Immigrants also bring fresh perspectives, cultural diversity, and skills that encourage creativity,
adaptability, and long term productivity. The persistence of this myth comes from cognitive bias
and selective attention. People notice when an immigrant is hired over a local worker, but they
often overlook the additional jobs created, the prevention of workplace closures, or the survival
of a struggling business. De Haas also notes that politicians use this myth to avoid addressing
deeper economic challenges such as globalization, automation, and weak labour laws. In times of
economic uncertainty, blaming immigrants can be an easy political move. In reality, immigrants
help fill labour shortages and are essential for sustaining economic growth, especially in aging
societies with shrinking workforces, a reality that demands well-informed policy responses
grounded in evidence rather than fear-driven narratives.
Part B: Issues in Migration
Current migration discussions are shaped by a combination of myths, public fears, and political
discourse that often oversimplify complex realities. This essay examines four widespread
misconceptions regarding migration, drawing on Hein de Haas’s myth-busting framework: that
borders are beyond control, that progress in developing nations will automatically reduce
migration, that modern economies no longer require migrant labour, and that immigrants take
jobs from native workers while driving down wages. These persistent myths endure despite
substantial economic research and scientific evidence to the contrary. They are frequently
amplified by sensationalist media coverage and political rhetoric, which deliberately use them to
justify restrictive immigration policies. In reality, such misconceptions distort public
understanding, undermine evidence-based policymaking, and contribute to deeply divisive
narratives that ultimately hinder constructive, informed debate about migration’s essential role in
society.
The myth of unmanageable borders is not based on actual migration trends, but rather on inflated
fears that are often carefully cultivated over time. According to de Haas, the majority of
migration is legal, and so-called “illegal” movement frequently results from overly strict laws
that fail to account for genuine labour demands or broader economic realities (de Haas, 2023).
Political debates and news reports often exaggerate statistics, use emotionally charged language,
and encourage a crisis mindset that is inconsistent with both current facts and historical evidence.
The related idea that migration is reduced by development in countries of origin is also incorrect.
In reality, as nations become wealthier, more people have the means, knowledge, and willingness
to migrate, especially in an increasingly interconnected world (de Haas, 2023). Migration is
frequently a sign of social, political, and economic progress rather than a symptom of national
weakness or systemic failure.
These claims have been reinforced by academic literature and are supported by a wide range of
empirical studies. Kasinitz and Waters (2024) state that structural necessities drive immigration
patterns, and that migrants are frequently incorporated into mainstream economies despite being
culturally marginalized or socially excluded from certain aspects of civic life. Esses (2017)
highlights how bias, rather than evidence, influences immigration policy, resulting in
discrimination and social exclusion that can persist for generations. This is consistent with how
the public views things, which are influenced by false myths and politically motivated narratives.
For example, both academic research and economic reporting reject the idea that immigrants
steal jobs or depress wages. Although economists regularly find that immigration boosts
economies, public opposition endures because of perceived national security dangers and
misunderstandings about economic competition, according to Kahloon (2023). Similarly,
Singer's (2024) Canadian report shows that changing public opinion is affected by
misinformation rather than real labour market basics and demographic realities.
Rather than fearing migration, policymakers should connect legal channels with economic need
while addressing bias and misinformation. Migration is a complex global reality affected by
worldwide interdependence, demographics, and development; it is not a risk to stability or
prosperity. Building inclusive, fair, and evidence-based immigration systems requires
acknowledging, understanding, and removing these myths and replacing them with accurate,
transparent information that promotes informed public dialogue. By replacing fear with facts,
countries can move past politics based on emotion and create migration policies that are practical
and focused on the country’s future needs.
References:
De Haas, H. 2023. How migration works: a factful guide to the most divisive issue in politics.
New York: Basic Books.
Esses, V.M. 2017. Prejudice and discrimination toward immigrants. Annual Review of
Psychology 68(1): 503–531.
Kasinitz, P. & M.C. Waters. 2024. Becoming white or becoming mainstream?: defining the
endpoint of assimilation. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 50: 95–113.
Kahloon, I. 2023. Economists love immigration. Why do so many Americans hate it? The New
Yorker, June 5. https://tinyurl.com/ynvvepy5
Singer, C.R. 2024. Changing attitudes towards immigration in Canada revealed in report Canada Immigration and Visa. Canada Immigration and Visa Information. Canadian
Immigration Services and Free Online Evaluation, October 22. https://tinyurl.com/2nzcspys