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Anti-immigration policy is killing European tech

TechCrunch · 1y

The rapid increase in immigration to Europe during the pandemic has become a contentious issue exploited by politicians. Anti-immigrant strategies have been rehashed in Poland, the U.K. has implemented controversial plans to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda, and France's far-right uses recent riots to push their anti-immigrant agenda. However, these policies are not only targeting illegal immigration but also skilled migration, damaging the tech industry's talent pipeline. The UK, for example, raised the cost of working visa applications, hindering startups' access to foreign talent. The importance of immigration for the growth of the tech industry is evident in countries like Estonia, which has become a tech power by embracing immigration and nurturing a startup-friendly environment. The article emphasizes the negative impact of anti-immigrant policies on the tech sector and calls for governments to create environments that support the growth of successful businesses.