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US election 2020: What would a Biden victory mean for Australian Immigration / Travel / International study?

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US election 2020: What would a Biden victory mean for Australian Immigration / Travel / International study?

The 2020 United States Presidential election commenced on 3 November 2020. While the election is still ongoing and everyone is anxiously waiting for the outcome, this makes us think what would Trump or Biden’s impact on Australian migration?

What was Trump’s impact on Australian immigration?

donald trump 2005343 640

Under Trump’s administration, immigration policies to the United States are not very friendly. This can be reflected in the following facts:  

·         More TR and Less PR policy

The president Trump encouraged people to move into America with temporary visas. However, he made it harder for people to obtain permanent residence in United States.

From 2016 to 2019, there are around 200,000 reductions in permanent visas.

Between 2016 to 2019,

  • Temporary working visas have increased up by 5% in US
  • Student visas dropped down by 2%
  • Permanent residency visas dropped down by 13%
  • Refugees admitted down by 65%

 

Huge spite in Google searches about Move to Australia, Canada and New Zealand 

During the election period, migration related topics and queries searched by Americans in Google become viral. The following topics become very popular in Google searches:

1. How to move to Australia

2. Move to Canada

3. New Zealand citizenship requirements

Interestingly, Bruce Springsteen, a US musician, says he would consider moving to Australia if Donald Trump is re-elected.   

 

Australia Became a more attractive migration country in 2016 – 2020

The president Trump’s immigration policies in United States have led to the best opportunity to Australia migration.

The president Trump’s unfriendly migration policies make many migrants wonder why not moving to other western immigration countries, such as Australia; New Zealand and Canada.

 As the chaotic COVID-19 situations and mistrust in Trump’s administration, many Americans are searching and considering other English-Speaking and migration friendly countries.  

 

Under Trump, US & China Relations

In terms of foreign policy with China, the Trump Administration is targeting China as its major strategic competitor and threat, and contributes to an escalating trade war with China. This has caused real peril for Australia. The People’s Republic of China (China) is the second largest migrant community in Australia. According to the Department of Home Affairs, there were 650,700 Chinese people living in Australia at the end of June 2018. Our current intense relationship with China has heavily reduced Chinese migrants.   

US vs China

 

What would a Biden victory mean for Australia Migration?

Biden

While the election is still ongoing and Biden takes the lead at the moment, we cannot say Biden will definitely win in this election.

However, what if Biden really becomes the next US president, what would a Biden victory mean for Australia migration?  

It is hard to forecast what Biden would exactly do with US migration policies. However, we can see some patterns from his presidency debate speeches and his previous partner Obama’s actions and policies on US migration.

Biden’s plans for immigration will be radically different from the president Trump’s. Biden’s priorities on US immigration reform would be:

  • Remove immigration restrictions placed by the president Trump and stop border wall constructions between United States and Mexico.
  • Follow the previous president Obama’s key immigration principle “earned citizenship”. Instead of deporting all undocumented immigrants in United States, Biden will provide a legal way for people living in the United States illegally to earn citizenship.
  • Biden also aims to provide and expand resources on health care; education systems and employment opportunities to those immigrants residing in the United States.

 

Biden & China – a relationship reset?

Biden may seek to carve out spaces for cooperation with China and take a different approach as the president Trump. If Biden is elected as the United States’ president, that may be a relationship reset between US and China.   

 

Our View: A more moderate US means a great competition for Australia

Joe Biden’s migration plans and policies are more lenient and supportive to legal and illegal migrants.

This will make United States as a place of welcome and innovation and attract many migrants to move to the United States.

Australia may have more competition to be less attractive for international students and immigrants.

 

What do you think the US election would impact on Australia? Share your ideas and Leave your comments below

 

Sources:

 https://7news.com.au/entertainment/music/bruce-springsteen-says-hell-move-to-australia-if-donald-trump-wins-us-election-c-1397911

https://floridaimmigrant.org/policy_research/white-house-fact-sheet-obama-immigration-reform-principles/

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australian-immigration-trump-era

https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54638643

https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/05/us-election-45000-americans-flood-new-zealands-immigration-website-13540910/

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/can-i-legally-move-to-canada-answered-2020-11

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/919258401/trumps-and-biden-s-plans-on-immigration

https://7news.com.au/entertainment/music/bruce-springsteen-says-hell-move-to-australia-if-donald-trump-wins-us-election-c-1397911

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/move-canada-us-election-google-trends

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/research-and-statistics/statistics/country-profiles/profiles/china

 

Do you need help?  

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Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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Comments 4

 
Guest - Nikhil on Tuesday, 10 November 2020 18:33

Canada & UK are taking in students in record numbers as Australian borders remain closed & Aussie universities collapsing with huge withdrawals & deferrals... Now with Canada set to intake 400k plus immigrants each year & US easing its immigration policies, Aussie govt needs to be more proactive to save the economy from collapsing. Aussie GDP being $ 1.4 Trillion is set to touch 1Trillion debt, up from $400 billion & govt. would need at least 20 years to repay the subsidies of 2 years. Further, China's trade restrictions are hurting the businesses and zero immigration is hurting the economy badly. 300k new houses are going to be delivered in next one year with no takers. First home & build bonus grants are currently taking the pressure but for how long will the govt keep on paying to save the builder lobby and property prices from crashing. Socialist approach of distributing cash is good for winning the elections but not good for the country in long term as nothing comes for free and debts need to be repaid.

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Canada & UK are taking in students in record numbers as Australian borders remain closed & Aussie universities collapsing with huge withdrawals & deferrals... Now with Canada set to intake 400k plus immigrants each year & US easing its immigration policies, Aussie govt needs to be more proactive to save the economy from collapsing. Aussie GDP being $ 1.4 Trillion is set to touch 1Trillion debt, up from $400 billion & govt. would need at least 20 years to repay the subsidies of 2 years. Further, China's trade restrictions are hurting the businesses and zero immigration is hurting the economy badly. 300k new houses are going to be delivered in next one year with no takers. First home & build bonus grants are currently taking the pressure but for how long will the govt keep on paying to save the builder lobby and property prices from crashing. Socialist approach of distributing cash is good for winning the elections but not good for the country in long term as nothing comes for free and debts need to be repaid.
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Guest - John J on Thursday, 12 November 2020 16:36

Joe Biden's immigration policy document has promised to make 1.1 million immigrants permanent. Most of these highly skilled immigrants in US were planning to apply for Permanent residency of Australia or Canada. It may be a lost opportunity for Australia as such move by USA will not only take away PR applicants but also future international students. No other country in the world has capped its own citizens' arrival or completely shut borders for TR holders & students. Australian government is answerable to the Universities which have worked hard for decades to make it to the Top 100 in the world but are now finding it difficult to survive.

0 Cancel Reply
Joe Biden's immigration policy document has promised to make 1.1 million immigrants permanent. Most of these highly skilled immigrants in US were planning to apply for Permanent residency of Australia or Canada. It may be a lost opportunity for Australia as such move by USA will not only take away PR applicants but also future international students. No other country in the world has capped its own citizens' arrival or completely shut borders for TR holders & students. Australian government is answerable to the Universities which have worked hard for decades to make it to the Top 100 in the world but are now finding it difficult to survive.
Cancel Update Comment
Guest - Joe on Sunday, 15 November 2020 17:19

Australia's $40 billion foreign student education industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 jobs having been lost.

(Federal Education Minister) Mr Tehan said the government is doing all it can to minimise job losses.

"If you look and take an assessment with comparable industries it is actually below the job losses we have seen in other industries more broadly across the nation," he said.


Looks like the education "industry" is not a big deal even for a Federal Education Minister and its losses are not that important compared to "other industries".

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7012792/states-consider-plans-for-foreign-students/?cs=9676

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[quote]Australia's $40 billion foreign student education industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 jobs having been lost. [i](Federal Education Minister)[/i] Mr Tehan said the government is doing all it can to minimise job losses. "If you look and take an assessment with comparable industries it is actually below the job losses we have seen in other industries more broadly across the nation," he said.[/quote] Looks like the education "industry" is not a big deal even for a Federal Education Minister and its losses are not that important compared to "other industries". https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7012792/states-consider-plans-for-foreign-students/?cs=9676
Cancel Update Comment
Guest - Joe on Sunday, 15 November 2020 17:20

Australia's $40 billion foreign student education industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 jobs having been lost.

(Federal Education Minister) Mr Tehan said the government is doing all it can to minimise job losses.

"If you look and take an assessment with comparable industries it is actually below the job losses we have seen in other industries more broadly across the nation," he said.


Looks like the education "industry" is not a big deal even for a Federal Education Minister and its losses are not that important compared to "other industries".

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7012792/states-consider-plans-for-foreign-students/?cs=9676

0 Cancel Reply
[quote]Australia's $40 billion foreign student education industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 jobs having been lost. [i](Federal Education Minister)[/i] Mr Tehan said the government is doing all it can to minimise job losses. "If you look and take an assessment with comparable industries it is actually below the job losses we have seen in other industries more broadly across the nation," he said.[/quote] Looks like the education "industry" is not a big deal even for a Federal Education Minister and its losses are not that important compared to "other industries". https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7012792/states-consider-plans-for-foreign-students/?cs=9676
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