Panel Video: The Weaponization of Immigration

Media

Panel Press Release

Panel Transcript (to be posted once available)

C-Span Coverage

Event Summary

The Center for Immigration Studies hosted a panel discussion examining how immigration is used as a political, economic, and strategic tool by governments, non-state, and sub-state actors worldwide. Whether through mass migration crises, policy-driven border surges, or the manipulation of refugee flows, immigration has become a powerful geopolitical weapon and a means of waging hybrid warfare. Examples have included Cuba’s use of the Mariel boatlift in 1980 or the more recent efforts by Belarus to coordinate illegal immigration to the EU.

This panel explored the concept of immigration warfare – how immigration is leveraged to gain political leverage; influence legislation, elections, and the economy; shape public opinion; and even destabilize a country. Discussion also covered how nations can respond to this growing challenge.

The discussion is an activity of the International Network for Immigration Research (INIR), a collaboration among independent policy organizations on three continents sharing the perspective that each sovereign nation has the right to pursue its chosen immigration policies.

Participants

Viktor Marsai, Director, Migration Research Institute, Budapest

Phillip Linderman, Retired senior Foreign Service officer, State Department; Board Member, Center for Immigration Studies

Eric Ruark, Director of Research. Numbers USA, Washington, D.C.

Mark Krikorian, Moderator, Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies

Date and Location

April 4, 2025

National Press Club

Introduction 

Statement by Phillip Linderman 

Statement by Viktor Marsai 

Statement by Eric Ruark 

Question and Answer Session