The Intelligence from The Economist Migration roots: the broken asylum system
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Jul 10, 2025 
Join Robert Guest, Deputy Editor at The Economist, known for his global reporting on asylum issues, and Andrew Miller, writer of Backstory, as they tackle the urgent need to reform the outdated asylum system. They discuss personal stories from individuals like Miguel and Sukra, shedding light on the stark bureaucratic challenges faced by migrants. Shifting gears, they explore the fierce competition for AI talent in Silicon Valley, revealing how tech giants are changing hiring strategies amid layoffs in traditional coding roles.
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Miguel's Seven-Year Asylum Wait
- Miguel sought asylum in Britain fearing gang violence in his home city.
- Despite being married to a doctor, the system took seven years to process his claim.
Outdated Asylum System's Fallout
- The 1951 Refugee Convention is outdated and not suited for today's global asylum challenges.
- The system fuels political backlash as many use asylum claims as a backdoor immigration path.
Separate Asylum from Labor Migration
- Separate asylum seekers needing safety from labor migrants desiring better wages.
- Refugees should find sanctuary in the first safe country they reach, easing pressure on richer countries.