Reframing the "Migration Crisis" as a Humanitarian and Public Health Emergency

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Humanitarian Studies
• Immigration Policy

Background:

• The prevailing

Purpose of the Study:

• To reframe the migration issue as a public health and humanitarian emergency.
• To propose principles for a more just and humane immigration reform.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the current narrative surrounding migration.
• Proposal of guiding principles for immigration reform.

Main Results:

• The current narrative misdirects understanding of migrants' fundamental safety, security, and health challenges.
• Viewing migrants as threats hinders recognition of their humanity and vulnerability.
• Forced migration coupled with border trauma constitutes a public health emergency.

Conclusions:

• Immigration reform must prioritize trauma-informed care for migrants in detention.
• Expanding access to alternatives to detention, especially for children, is crucial.
• Immigration policy should align with national law and international human rights treaties.