TED Talks Daily The missing piece in the story of migration | Sonia Shah and Zeke Hernandez
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Aug 21, 2025 
Join Zeke Hernandez, a Wharton School professor and author, alongside journalist Sonia Shah, as they redefine migration narratives. They explore migration as a natural human instinct rather than a crisis, emphasizing its economic contributions and resilience-building potential. By challenging harmful stereotypes, they advocate for a shift in how society views immigrants, promoting a more inclusive, humane approach to migration policy. Their insights reveal the historical significance of migration and the urgent need for nuanced discussions in today’s climate.
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Migration Is A Constant In Human History
- Human migration is ancient and continuous, not a new crisis driven solely by modern forces.
- Sonia Shah shows migration occurred with Stone Age technology and long predated modern headlines.
Migration Is Small But Politically Inflamed
- Immigrant shares of global population are small, about 3–3.5%, so migration isn't larger than past eras proportionally.
- Zeke Hernandez compares today's politics to early 1900s restrictionist waves despite declining birthrates that increase need for migrants.
Five Economic Reasons To Welcome Migrants
- Immigrants contribute five key economic inputs: investment, talent, innovation, consumption, and taxes.
- Zeke Hernandez explains these inputs consistently create jobs and economic growth in receiving countries.
