From Migrant to Mainstay: Safeguarding Human Rights after the Journey

Human mobility is a defining feature of the 21st century. Today, more people are on the move than ever before—crossing borders in pursuit of safety, opportunity, and stability. Some are fleeing conflict and persecution, others escaping environmental collapse or economic despair. Still others migrate to reunite with family or to contribute their labor and skills in new communities. In all cases, mobility raises urgent questions about how states manage borders, fulfill human rights obligations, and share responsibility for the protection of those in transit. As the number of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons continues to grow, the international community faces mounting pressure to create migration systems that are not only efficient and secure, but fair, humane, and rights-respecting.

To better understand these tensions and identify practical pathways forward, Perry World House convened a conference on migration and human rights. Bringing together scholars, policymakers, legal experts, and practitioners from around the world, the event examined how migration systems can be designed to better respect human dignity while addressing real-world constraints.