Opportunities for Transatlantic Cooperation on International Migration

The relationship between the European Union and the United States is one of the most significant partnerships among wealthy nations. Interconnections between the two on migration issues make dialogue necessary and inevitable, as each relies on each other to attain a number of policy objectives—most clearly in the case of travel and border security. The European Union and United States face similar pressures regarding migration policy: publics skeptical about migration’s benefits, strong underlying migration pressures from neighboring developing countries, the need to manage porous borders effectively, concerns about certain immigrant groups’ economic and social integration, and the imperative to reap the economic benefits of immigration more fully.

In many ways, the transatlantic relationship represents the “low-hanging fruit” of international cooperation because the symmetries between the European Union and the United States are so great. The opportunities presented offer clear potential benefits for both sides, including the chance to engage as equals and the potential to serve as a laboratory for cooperation in other regions of the world.

Addressing future challenges will require cooperation strong partnership, thoughtful policy decisions, consistent implementation, and above all, flexibility and a willingness to continually evaluate and adapt policies in response to changing circumstances.