Settlement Support Policies

Migration and settlement support policies have a major impact on the health and well-being of newcomers. Many studies show that asylum seekers and refugees with a stable status and non-discriminatory access to work, housing, education and healthcare are generally able to overcome the after-effects of pre-migration trauma and to integrate well into the host society. Conversely, when they face restrictions and limited access to services in the host society, their physical and mental health suffers. Moreover, precarious status is a major source of feelings of insecurity and vulnerability.

Several of our researcher members’ projects set out to document migration policies and evaluate their impact on the well-being and health of migrants, particularly migrants with precarious status, and on their access to healthcare and services. Here is an overview of current or recently completed projects in this area of expertise

Settlement support and integration

• Logement des demandeurs d’asile à Montréal: une évaluation des besoins et une analyse des options d’intervention
• Settling in: Understanding issues of trajectory and integration of asylum seekers in Quebec [French]
• Refugee integration and long-term health outcomes in Canada
• Travel stories. Psychosocial experiences of asylum seekers between the country of origin and the country of destination [French]

Migration and Settlement Support Policies

• Accessibility and costs of healthcare for refugee claimants following changes to the interim Federal Health Program
• Accessibility of social services and healthcare for temporary migrant workers [French]
• Accessibility of healthcare for pregnant women and children with precarious status [French]
• The migratory status of the child limited access to health care: equity and ethical challenges
• Climate change, migration and health in The Antilles [French]

Migration Control Policies

• Detention of vulnerable adult asylum seekers : impact on mental and psychosocial status
• International network for research, advocacy and policy on immigration detention