{
  "id": 7035254,
  "title": "Immigrants wary of becoming political fodder as migration debate heats up",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/immigrants-wary-of-becoming-political-fodder-as-migration-debate",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T01:28:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-13/migration-debate-heats-up/107143444"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Immigrants living in Australia are wary of becoming political pawns as the migration debate intensifies. Barbara Dervodel, who has lived in the country for ten years, expresses her pride in being an Australian but is concerned about the current discourse. She emphasizes that many migrants share her unease, fearing that they could become fodder for political arguments as both major parties and One Nation debate migration numbers.\n\nAnnaliese Claydon, a citizen of the United States who became an Australian citizen on Australia Day, worries that people may not understand the hardships migrants face. She highlights the emotional journey and temporary separations migrants endure, urging others to reconsider their support for One Nation if they appreciate the difficulties migrants face.\n\nAlan Gamlen, director of the Australian National University's Migration Hub, criticizes the current migration debate for being driven by misinformation. He argues that net overseas migration (NOM) is an abstract figure that fails to capture the true issues. Instead, he emphasizes the need for a better migration debate informed by an independent arbiter and a focus on temporary migration, which has tripled since the early 2000s.\n\nAccording to the Department of Home Affairs, the number of temporary visa holders in Australia has increased from 1.75 million in 2012 to nearly 2.9 million. Professor Gamlen proposes that the focus should be on regulating the temporary migration program while balancing economic needs and community values. He advocates for a coherent national population policy that considers the size of the temporary migration program and its impact on regional communities.",
  "summary": "An expert argues the migration debate is fixated on the wrong number, while regional Australia calls for a national settlement strategy.",
  "key_points": [
    "Immigrants in Australia fear becoming political pawns in migration debate.",
    "One Nation's rhetoric worries migrants about being used in arguments.",
    "Temporary visa holders rose from 1.75 million in 2012 to nearly 2.9 million."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The intensifying migration debate is fuelling concern among immigrants that they will be used as political pawns, with experts and migrants themselves calling for a more informed and nuanced discussion.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}