Readers chime in: migration and democracy

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Hi Diogenes,

Welcome to openDemocracy's weekly reader comments round-up. We receive so many carefully considered messages about our work that it seems a shame to keep them to ourselves. Send us your thoughts for next week's round-up by replying directly to any of our emails or commenting on our articles or Instagram posts.

These comments are edited for clarity, accuracy and length, and aren't necessarily a reflection of openDemocracy's editorial position.

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Re: Weekly Poll: Is migration a threat to democracy?

Migration will continue whether we like it or not. Many of its current negative drivers – conflicts and climate deterioration, etc. – produce desperation which far outweighs any obstacles put in its path. Beyond that, falling birth rates in many affluent countries may well require inward migration in order to maintain a viable ratio of economically active citizens. So the issues revolve around how we handle it, and to date that has not gone very well. The subject has been weaponised, malevolently but effectively, by the far right, and other politicians have been dragged along. But it's going to continue, and it would be as well to accept that and try to address it properly. –Arthur via email

My thought: Anyone who has the guts and determination to reach our shores deserves welcome as a potentially huge asset to our broken society. –Jenifer via email

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Yes and no.

Yes – when austerity and bad management has impoverished the country and there are not enough houses, GPs, transport infrastructure, etc.

When resources are scarce, extra people coming into the country obviously make the scarcity or effects of poor infrastructure worse. Right-wing populists can then easily exploit the situation and scapegoat migrants & refugees. The answer isn't to say "there isn't a problem" – when there are obviously problems.

The root cause of the problems in this country isn't migration itself, but the broken economy and public services cut to the bone.

Even in a well-run country migration must be managed. Managed to ensure that there is enough housing, sufficient health services, etc. for the extra people coming in; or if that is too difficult, then to restrict numbers to what can be provided for. –Andy via email

Thank you for today's read Aman. I only have one question regarding your intro. You mention that migrants who arrive on a skilled worker visa contribute significantly to the economy, which is what I would assume anyways or else the particular skill would not have been on the list to obtain a skilled worker visa in the first place (from a migrant's perspective). Wouldn't it be more relevant to know how economic refugees, or people who are crossing into Europe for a better life, without having any highly sought after skills, are contributing to or impacting our systems?

My point is, if Europe really is in need of all these people, than why is the EU not setting up a process to recruit them from their home countries instead of waiting until they crossed the borders? So either there is a misalignment between the immigration systems and the economic needs or the European economies just don't need that many people to begin with, in which case the only solution I can see is to support global fair trade in hopes that one day no one feels the pressure to illegally cross borders for economic reasons. –Rico via email

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Re: UK plans add 'new layer of cruelty' for asylum seekers, expert warns

This policy of restricting families reuniting seems to me to be just another cruel diktat from the Home Office. This is a continuation of the cruelty practised by the Tory Home Office. What has changed? Anything, nothing?! –Mike via our website

This government is intent on harming anyone they see as getting in their way of lining their own pockets. –Roy via email