ADVISORY BODIES
UK Migration Advisory Committee
In the United Kingdom, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent, non-statutory, non-time limited, non-departmental public body that advises the government on migration issues. The MAC is responsible for providing transparent, independent and evidence-based advice to the government on migration issues such as the impacts of immigration, the limits on immigration under the points-based system, and skills shortages within occupations.
Source: The Migration Advisory Committee.
Brazil and The Philippines – coordinated consultation in an advisory body format
The Migration Governance Snapshots provide interesting insights into the mechanisms States have for managing their partnerships in migration.
Brazil
The National Immigration Council (CNIg) of Brazil is a platform for collaboration among various ministries, employers’ associations and workers’ unions to discuss labour migration. It is managed by the Ministry of Labour and is responsible for formulating labour migration policy. CNIg meets 11 times per year. Furthermore, nongovernmental organizations and international organizations participate in the council as observers.
Source: Migration Data Portal – MGI Brazil (2018a).
The Philippines
Multisector engagement in migration policy and governance is formally established in the Philippines. The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act explicitly calls for multi-actor engagement, including that of civil society organizations. Both the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have civil society and private sector representatives on their boards.
Source: Migration Data Portal – MGI Philippines (2018b).
NOTICE & COMMENT AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
Australia’s consultation on the size and composition of the Migration Programme
Each year, the Australian Government undertakes extensive consultations on the planning of its Migration Programme. This includes close collaboration with subnational state and territory governments and a range of key stakeholders, including the business sector, academia, industry and community organizations, to provide views on how Australia can best benefit from immigration in the coming year. The department releases a discussion paper annually to steer the consultation process, then conducts public hearings.
Source: Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs.
United States of America’s Notice and Comment Procedures for Administrative Rule Making
Under federal law, changes to most United States regulations by government agencies, including immigration regulations, must first be published in draft form, giving the public at least 30 days to submit “written data, views, or arguments” regarding the proposed rule. Agencies are then required to consider and respond in some form to all comments received during this “notice and comment” period before the final rule can be published.
Source: United States Department of Justice, 1947.