|
Immigration 移民问题 IMMIGRATION is a sensitive subject at the best of times, and this is not one of them. Theeconomic crisis has destroyed millions of jobs in rich countries, making their governmentsespecially touchy about the impact of immigration on the demand for indigenous labour. 即便是在光景好的年代，移民也是个敏感话题，更何况如今光景衰败。发达国家在经济危机中失去了千百万的就业岗位，因此，政府对移民影响本土劳动力需求的问题显得尤为敏感。 Such concerns are illogical, because immigration is counter-cyclical. Recession in rich countrieshas discouraged some would-be incomers from trying their luck. America, for instance, has seena sharp decline in Mexicans trying to cross its southern border. Immigration to Europe hasslowed. Some studies also suggest that increased inflows of migrants are a leading indicator ofa pickup in growth. 这样的担忧毫无逻辑，因为移民是反周期性的。发达国家的经济衰退已经让一些潜在移民望而却步。比如说，从美国南部边界进入该国的墨西哥人数量已经大大减少了。欧洲的移民量也在减缓。一些研究还表明移入居民的增加是经济增长好转的先行指标。 Yet governments are often reluctant to leavemigration flows to the labour market. In recessions,they tend to take steps to discourage newmigrants and even get rid of existing ones. Over thepast year the Danish, French and Italiangovernments have rolled back the Schengenpassport-free zone and reintroduced limited bordercontrols. Even Australia and Canada, which pioneeredthe points system to give preference to skilledworkers, have cut back on work permits. DavidCameron, Britains prime minister, has imposed amigration cap for those from outside the EU. Countries including Spain, Japan and Denmarkhave taken this to its logical conclusion, with pay as you go schemes, under which migrantsget cash handouts to return to their countries of origin. | 
