Migrants are economic assets for both their host and home countries, but they are disproportionately affected by the global financial crisis. Temporary migration programs and collaboration with migrant-sending countries can help maximize the economic benefits of migration, even in times of crisis.

The economic success of Gulf regional integration depends on increased cooperation within the service sector and improved administrative capacity in GCC countries.

Large industrialized nations like the United States, Japan, and Germany have benefited from increasing global demand for relatively stable economies in which to invest.

The financial crisis has had a disproportionate impact on migrants, who are among the most economically and politically vulnerable of the world. Host country governments should resist calls to expel foreign workers and instead extend them the protection of social programs.

Ironically, the United States is among the countries least affected by the financial crisis. Financial markets have been hardest hit in Argentina and in Eastern European countries such as Ukraine and Hungary.

The economic crisis may force policy makers to revise their view that open borders are a good thing. Now is the time to take bold steps to forestall a protectionist resurgence.