Immigration in the Age of Advanced Digital Technologies

The rapid development and uptake of advanced digital technologies are transforming the economies and societies of countries in many parts of the world, although these developments are by no means evenly spread globally. Still, for a growing number of immigrant-receiving countries advanced digital technologies are being put to use in the management and governance of migration at borders and well beyond. Such technologies may be used to enhance the work immigrant-serving agencies engage to support refugee resettlement and successful migrant integration, such as employment and language acquisition. Migrants themselves may also rely on digital technologies in navigating travel, accessing information and staying connected with friends and family. While the use of such technologies, particularly at borders, has raised human rights concerns, their growing use in all aspects of migration journeys also demands investigation, as well as attention to digital divides. Panelists are invited to consider the use as well as implications of advanced digital technologies in migration as used by states, and/or non-governmental organizations working with newcomers as well as for migrant and refugee communities.