Phd Research Proposal Research Proposal Sample

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Doctoral Program in Law

Immigration policy, settlement and diaspora: North America, Middle East and African contributions and perspectives
Advisors:
(Name of Advisors)

Summary of Proposal and Keyword:

Summary
The study intends to investigate the roles played by settlement/Diasporas, especially the Nigerians (African) and the Syrians (Middle Eastern) settlement in shaping the Immigration policies of Canada. An attempt would be made to understand the evolution of the Canadian Immigration Policies historically in context of the perspective added by Syrians and Nigerians immigrants. The future of Canadian Immigration Policy in the 21st century would be analysed in the context of the influence and impact of these settlements/lobbyist groups.

Key Themes

Immigration Policy in Canada in the 21st Century
Immigration laws until date and the traditional factors influencing it
Immigration policies vis-à-vis the Africa (specifically, Nigerian) and Middle East (in particular, Syrians) Jurisdiction
The Syrian Settlers vis-à-vis the Immigration Policies.

The influence of the Syrian settlers on the Immigration Policies

The Nigerian settlers vis-à-vis the Immigration Policies.

The role of the Nigerian settlers on the Immigration policies

The impact on the Immigration policy post 9/11 and the influence of diaspora.
Proposal for PHD level Research
The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the immigration policies of Canada on African (specifically, Nigerians) and Middle Eastern (in particular, Syrians) diasporas. Specifically, the finer nuances in policy formulation and amendment on account of the influence of the diasporas would be explored to possibly understand their contributions and fresh perspectives that they have introduced to Canada (Legault, 2012; Sharma, 2011). Of research interest is on how the immigration policy and processes are being shaped hitherto, as well as, how the changing economic and geo-political situations, especially among Syrian and Nigerian immigrants who accelerate and shape Canadian immigration policies.
In this research proposal on immigration policy among Syrians and Nigerians’ immigrants in Canada, diaspora is operationally defined as the dispersion of the select two groups from their original country of origin. Reasons for their scattering, specifically in Canada can be traced back historically as resulting from settlement, slave trading, exiles, educational purposes, and labour migrations. Since immigration policy takes a significant role for the Canadian government to accept or deny the entries of immigrants, particular attention is also given to the kind of social coherence or relationships of diaspora communities in the recipient country, Canada. In the course of the study, it would be possible to come up with a more expanded definition of diaspora as used by the respondents of the study.
This study’s significance would be in filling the gap concerning the limited research in the field regarding the evaluation of the implication of Nigerian and Syrian diasporas and settlements on immigration policies and in making a solid contribution to migration studies. Initially, the research paper would review Canada’s immigration policies, discuss the effective motive force behind the concept of diaspora, and examine thoroughly the relevant characteristics of the immigration laws on the diaspora communities. An in-depth understanding of the influence of these Diasporas would help us understand the complex immigration laws and the rationale that govern the formulation and implementation of these policies.
As a preliminary, Minister of Public Work and Government Service Canada (1998) stated that the immigration laws for 21st century immigration system form the cornerstone of the 21st century immigration policy reforms for Canada. There are needs for accountability and transparency to ensure that a rule-based system governs immigration policies, as well as, support family reunification by responding to new social realities and further promoting the traditional Canadian principle of supporting family reunification. Additionally, policy reforms are intended to uphold Canada’s humanitarian tradition by providing asylum and support to refugees who are compelled to move from their country on account of political instability; consequently, the creation of a sense of balance between privilege and responsibility by promoting system of reciprocal obligations.
Furthermore, Canada’s immigration policy reforms for the 21st century have to continue to transform reforms that would enrich human resources by creating an appropriate selection system and by ensuring that public safety is adequately promoted by creating a system which identifies and intercepts those illegal immigrants who do not have the right to stay in Canada. There are other things that the immigration policy reforms take root in ensuring that the founding stone of the immigration system is grounded on the principles of fairness, integrity and effectiveness. As such, the Canadian government is making significant moves in support of immigrants, such as the Syrian people (Government of Canada, 2015) and for being a popular immigration destination among Nigerians (Canadian Immigration Law Firm, 2014).
Historically, there has been a perception that the Canadian immigration policy was designed with the specific motive of discouraging immigration from Syria and Nigeria. For instance, despite the fact that the Canadian laws were very tough, Africans (e.g., Nigerians) and Middle Eastern (e.g., Syrians) immigrants chose the refugee route to find a way around the Canadian immigration laws (Troper, 2013). Consequently, there was a large scale immigration of people from Nigeria and Syria and the first generation settler formed communities and Diasporas. Nonetheless, in 1971, for instance, Canada was the first nation worldwide that adopted a multiculturalism policy and legislation; hence, the influx of immigrants starting from then on (Government of Canada, 2015).
Hitherto, Nigerians and Syrians are preconditioned to accept various forms of subordination being encouraged by multiple Canadian states through immigration policies that may contradict immigrants’ ambition and neoliberal perspectives. Vertovec (2005), for instance, suggested that relevant lobbying activities are carried out by associations that are formed on the basis of Diasporas. The immigration from Nigeria and Syria to Canada and their consequent diaspora/settlement continue to change the geo-political situation that impact and shape Canada’s immigration laws and policies.
The diasporas/settlements has indeed played a crucial role in shaping the foreign policies and laws. For instance, Khan (2012) pointed out that even though the Arab community in the Canada lived under the fear of reprisal and backlash from the government in their respective home country, efforts were in place for them to voice out their opinions on various political events in their home country. Further, various diaspora of Syrians has become politically active to voice political concerns, which helped Canadians get rid of the Arab stereotype (Al Jazeera, 2008). However, the impact of this organization of the immigration policy per se is yet to be ascertained.
After the September 11 attacks, there has been a marked increase in the interest among Syrians living in the Canada (Camarota, 2002). Whilst there has been a lot of research on how the Canadian Immigration laws got impacted on account of 9/11 attacks, there are a very few and still limited studies on how the Syrian diaspora/settlement impacted the Canadian immigration laws. Adelman (2002), for example, conducted a detailed study on the immigration laws in the context of the 9/11 attacks. However, certain research does seem to indicate country specific actions vis-à-vis immigration policies and procedure post 9/11.
In view of the above, a report by National Anti-Racism Council of Canada (2007), in particular, suggests that the immigration programs launched after 9/11 seemed to target immigrants from specific countries where certain interview programs that are voluntary in nature require Canadian authorities to interview immigrants and nationals from Syria and even sponsor thousands of Syrians looking for refuge in Canada (Lynch, 2014; Mas, 2014). Another particularity, Tannock (2011) pointed out a education-based prejudicial or discriminatory immigration system of Canada. He argued how Canada’s immigration policy concerning skill-based migration regimes “are discriminatory, violate core principles” that contribute to brain drain of highly skilled workers in sending countries across the globe (p. 1330)
Insofar as the Nigerian immigrants are concerned, their relocation to Canada in recent years have significantly increased in numbers, which prompted public discussions and research about the extent they are being incorporated in the host country (Mensah, et al., 2013). Hence, on account of the community action, a lot of affirmative action was undertaken to bring about an improvement in their general living condition (Experience Africa, n.d.). Various researches indicate that the Nigerian community is indicative of a migration experience that displays marked diversity in terms of origin and culture and the formation of national identity among Nigerians, for instance (Mensah, 2014; The New York Public Library, 2005). However, there isn’t adequate research on the impact of the Nigerian-Canadian settlement on the immigration policies except concerns regarding the “South Africans in Canada [as being] a deeply disengaged diaspora” (Crush, 2013, p. 189).
Several studies indicate that immigration from Syrians and Nigerians to Canada has remained steady despite of the geo-political circumstances post 9/11. Hence, certain internal factors within the foregoing region also impact the degree of immigration and the consequent immigration policy. The International Organization for Migration (n.d.), for instance, suggested that there are several instances when the migration is often forced on account of civil and political strife across the region. Nevertheless, there aren’t many cohesive studies on the impact of the groups on Canadian immigration policies, as well as, the indirect influence exerted on them by these governmental immigration policy changes and implementation (Rheault, 2013).
My methodology would be a mixed methods research wherein a detailed and in-depth analysis and correlational study between the Nigerian and Syrian Diasporas, including their consequent impact on the formulation, development and implication of immigration policies would be explored (Creswell, 2009; Nelson, et al., 2011). The research instruments would be survey, interview, and focus group discussion, which would be used among a cluster of Syrian and Nigerian immigrants in select diaspora communities in Canada. Likewise, a number of Canadian immigration authorities would be interviewed to obtain their views concerning immigration policy among Syrians and Nigerians. Additionally, a documentary analysis would be undertaken to review past immigration laws and the policy changes and implementation that took place from then on until now. While conducting the study, primary focus would be on how these two immigration groups affected and shaped the immigration policies and added perspectives to the fundamentals of the immigration policies and procedures. An attempt would be made to investigate the precise roles and responsibilities of settlement/Diasporas within the larger schemes of immigration policies.

References

Adelman, H., 2002. Canadian Borders and Immigration Post 9/11. Center for Migration Studies of New York, 36(1), pp. 15-28.
Al Jazeera, 2008. Canada's Arab immigrant vote. [Online] Available at: http://www.aljazeera.com/focus/2008/10/20081013112940123612.html[Accessed 16 March 2015].
Camarota, S. A., 2002. Immigrants from the Middle East. [Online] Available at: http://cis.org/MiddleEasternImmigrantsProfile[Accessed 16 March 2015].
Canadian Immigration Law Firm, 2014. From Nigeria to Canada: Why Canada Proves a Popular Immigration Destination. [Online] Available at: https://www.canadianimmigration.net/news/04122013-nigeria-canada-why-canada-proves-popular-immigration-destination[Accessed 20 March 2015].
Creswell, J., 2009. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. 3rd ed. California: Sage Publications.
Crush, J., 2013. South Africa as dystopia: diaspora views from Canada. Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 51(2), pp. 189-209.
Experience Africa, n.d.. The ICD “Experience Africa” Program: The African Diaspora. [Online] Available at: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_the-african-diaspora[Accessed 18 March 2015].
Government of Canada, 2015. Canada's Support to the Syrian People. [Online] Available at: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/syria-syrie/index.aspx?lang=eng[Accessed 20 March 2015].
Government of Canada, 2015. List of policies, operational instructions and agreements. [Online] Available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/laws-policy/index.asp[Accessed 20 March 2015].
International Organization for Migration, n.d.. Middle East and North Africa. [Online] Available at: https://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/where-we-work/africa-and-the-middle-east/middle-east-and-north-africa.html[Accessed 15 March 2015].
Khan, S., 2012. The Arab diaspora finds its voice. [Online] Available at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/the-arab-diaspora-finds-its-voice/article4243545/[Accessed 16 March 2015].
Legault, G., 2012. Cultural Grammars of Nation, Diaspora, and Indigeneity in Canada. BC Studies, Issue 175, pp. 139-141.
Lynch, L., 2014. Syrian refugee applications quietly sped up by Ottawa. [Online] Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/syrian-refugee-applications-quietly-sped-up-by-ottawa-1.2689913[Accessed 20 March 2015].
Mas, S., 2014. Syrian refugees: Canada urged to take in 10,000 by 2016. [Online] Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/syrian-refugees-canada-urged-to-take-in-10-000-by-2016-1.2680953[Accessed 20 March 2015].
Mensah, J., 2014. The Black, continental African presence and the nation-immigration dialectic in Canada. Social Identities, 20(4/5), pp. 279-298.
Mensah, J., Williams, C. J. & Aryee, E., 2013. Gender, power, and religious transnationalism among the African diaspora in Canada. African Geographical Review, 32(2), pp. 157-171.
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Nelson, S. et al., 2011. The shifting landscape of immigration policy in Canada: implications for health human resources. Healthcare Policy, 7(2), pp. 60-67.
Rheault, L., 2013. Corporate Lobbying and Immigration Policies in Canada. Canadian Journal of Political Science, 46(3), pp. 691-722.
Sharma, M., 2011. A Review of 'The African Diaspora in the United States and Canada at the Dawn of the 21st Century. Professional Geographer, 63(1), pp. 157-159.
Tannock, S., 2011. Points of Prejudice: Education-Based Discrimination in Canada's Immigration System. Antipode, 43(4), pp. 1330-1356.
The New York Public Library, 2005. The African-American Migration Experience. [Online] Available at: http://www.inmotionaame.org/home.cfm;jsessionid=f8302345481422726853611?bhcp=1[Accessed 17 March 2015].
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Vertovec, S., 2005. The Political Importance of Diasporas. [Online] Available at: http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/political-importance-diasporas[Accessed 17 March 2015].