Comparative Analysis of Migration Policiesand Social Transformations in the MENARegion

Abstract

This article explores the historical developments of migration in the Middle Eastand North Africa (MENA) countries. It investigates the major turning pointsin the history of migration in the region, and some of the major policies andregulations that have been adopted in reaction to the inflow of migrants and thepolitical and economic considerations that have motivated such polices. It arguesthat in some countries, improvised and exclusionary policy schemes necessitated byshort-term political objectives and factors related to the interests of the politicalsystem have exacerbated the conditions of the migrant population and limited theprospects of integration. Hence, Saudi Arabia persistently adopts a populist purgeagainst migrants by aggressively pushing for nationalizing various job sectors thatwere previously occupied by immigrants. Other countries in the region, and morespecifically in North Africa, have taken a pragmatic attitude toward migration. They haveconsequentlygiven up theirexclusionary and highlysecuritized approachto migration and adopted national migration strategies that have opened the doorfor upward social mobility as well as social and political participation.