Idean Salehyan, “Strategic Humanitarianism and U.S. Refugee Admissions after the Cold War”

Migration and Refugees

What is the main argument?

The US policy for accepting refugees is strategic humanitarianism. This policy is not simply a kind act, but is influenced by foreign policy priorities and geopolitical calculations.

What were the priorities before 9/11?

The US used refugee policy to resettle people from areas where it has been militarily involved.

This made the US into the “good guy” by establishing a reputation for assistance. Resettlement also mitigated regional destabilization and secured the cooperation of neighboring states impacted by migration.

It also discredited their rivals by embarrassing and discrediting the sending country for human rights abuses, signaled democracy was superior, and encouraged defection.

USSR, Cuba, Iran all countries US took refugees from.

What were the priorities post-9/11?

The US’s preference for refugees from US military conflicts declined. This happened with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as the US was an occupying power supporting new governments, making it hard to claim refugees were fleeing oppressive regimes.

Also, there was an expectation that the US would resettle fewer refugees from Muslim-majority nations due to a shift in believing they were threats, now. This is weakly supported though (there is not strong support for increased religious bias in refugee admissions).

This has lead to a breakdown in bipartisan consensus as refugee policy is increasingly intertwined with partisan divisions over immigration and counterterrorism. 

What is strategic humanitarianism?

States are more likely to take actions consistent with humanitarian principles when strong foreign policy incentives align with these goals.