It has been a year when everything we know about global mobility has been upended. As borders closed and people found themselves stuck in different countries, immigration systems have had to adapt at short notice to account for those who found themselves displaced. These displacements have had ripple effects, leading to unintended social security and taxation consequences. More broadly, the rise of the remote office raises long term questions about how, and for our purposes, from where, an international workforce can log on.

 And, of course, the health and economic impacts of the pandemic create a climate of fear in which migrants remain vulnerable to scapegoating by those in power.

 Drawing on these trends, the Immigration Law Commission Day will feature the following three sessions:

• Social Security, Tax Issues and Immigration

Social security and tax issues relating to the transfer of employees continues to evolve.  COVID-19 has also impacted these matters insofar as it has disrupted employee mobility.  This seminar will accordingly focus on relevant issues relating to social security and tax matters in a rapidly changing immigration landscape.   

• Populism and immigration

 Taking place just days after an election in which competing views on migration were very much at the forefront, this panel will explore the impact of the rise of populism on immigration, particularly across Europe and the US. We will examine long term trends, as well as the impact of the pandemic and closed borders on policies and approaches to migration going forward.

• COVID-19’s Impact on Global Economic Migration 

In this seminar, we will investigate in-depth both the short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economic immigration.  Specifically, we will debate whether COVID-19 will retard the movement of both low and high skilled workers both within and between developing and developed countries.  We will also explore the potential impact on economic growth, particularly in immigrant receiving countries, of a reduction in the intake of skilled immigrants.  We will also contemplate whether COVID-19 will impair efforts to expand global trade and, thereby, result in a greater emphasis on localism and/or regionalism. 

In addition to the academic sessions, the day will include a virtual speed networking event and a cocktail session (with quiz contest).   

More information about the speakers and the schedule under the programme section of this page

Please fill in this form if you want to attend any part of our social programme.

Organising Committee 

• Malini Skandachanmugarasan, Doyle Clayton
• Sharaf Sultan, Sultan Lawyers
• Stefan Müller, Wenger Vieli
• Katie Newbury, Kingsley Napley LLP

All academic sessions are recorded and shared in the Resource Centre the week after the events.

This event takes place during:

AIJA Commissions Month
20 October - 20 November 2020

  Read more