A Comparative Historical Analysis in Determining Immigration Policies: Policy Recommendations for Türkiye Based on the U.S. Migration Experience (1882-1921)

The world is experiencing a new wave of mass migration, with Türkiye assuming a prominent role as both a transit and destination country. Türkiye bears a significant financial burden compared to others, impacting various dimensions of the social sphere. Policies must be grounded in a pragmatic economic approach to address challenges arising from mass migration. This matter is also addressed in the 11th and 12th Development Plans, emphasizing the necessity of an effective migration and immigration policy. In historical analysis, several nations have emerged as exemplars that could guide Türkiye. Analyzing the migration policies of the USA during the peak period of mass migration (1882-1921), this study adopts an institutional and interdisciplinary perspective, drawing from the U.S. Congressional Records that provides comprehensive and reliable documentation of the period's policies and their effects. This study aims to formulate policy recommendations for Türkiye's future immigration policies based on its findings. The findings of the study suggest that irregular mass migration, despite temporal and geographical variations, engenders analogous economic, political, and social challenges. The feasibility of the proposed policies may serve as a source of inspiration for subsequent studies.