In this module one of the guiding questions is: How can we stay true to the depth needed in research, but geographically follow the lives of immigrant populations? The video I shared is titled The Shifting Border: How Nation States Control Human Mobility. In the video, Professor Ayelet Shachar states that “If we are thinking about borders, we can’t just look at how individuals move across borders. We actually want to look at how borders themselves move to regulate mobility (TED, 2021, 1:46). The model she is suggesting is a shifting border, as opposed to a static or disappearing border. In the video she analyzes how this looks in the United States, Canada, and Australia. She has ultimately set out to comprehend how states are regulating mobility, migration, and citizenship, and how we might imagine membership, diversity, and inclusion under these new circumstances. On Youtube.com, Shachar argues that if borders are dynamic, then human rights should be equally agile.

With the increasing unknown of the “why” behind individuals’ mobility and joining new communities, it is important to have an understanding of circumstances. Despite what some may believe, it is often not financially driven. In his article “Comprehensive Immigrant Confusion,” Peter Skerry (2016) states that “Indeed, it is remarkable how few Americans display curiosity about what leads individuals to incur the considerable inconvenience and risk of moving here, especially illegally. As economic historians remind us, only a tiny fraction of the world’s population has ever left home in search of substantial economic gains.”  When there is a better understanding of individuals’ mobility, communities will have a better understanding of the notion of shifting borders and how we can better meet the needs of newcomers and their needs. Research must constantly be done in an ever changing world to understand mobility so beneficial plans and policies are in place. 

Skerry, P. (2016) Comprehensive Immigration Confusion. Article published in National Affairs. 

The Shifting Border: How Nation States Control Human Mobility. (2021, February

     9). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eoDXOzqlAY