WASHINGTON — Asylum seekers and refugees who arrived in Germany in the leadup to and during the 2015-16 European migration crisis have integrated into the labor market at a slightly faster rate than previous refugee cohorts, a Migration Policy Institute (MPI) report finds.

WASHINGTON — A new age of migration has been ushered in by large-scale spontaneous migration flows on both sides of the Atlantic, which have upended asylum adjudications systems and placed enormous stress on reception, housing and social services, particularly in Europe.

WASHINGTON – Even as governments in Latin America and the Caribbean have taken generous and innovative steps to address forced displacement from Venezuela and more recently Nicaragua, the warm welcome has cooled in places amid the vast scale of the inflows, strains on public services and growing public concern.

WASHINGTON – A pesar de que los gobiernos de América Latina y el Caribe han tomado medidas generosas e innovadoras para lidiar con el desplazamiento forzado desde Venezuela y más recientemente desde Nicaragua, la cálida bienvenida se ha enfriado en algunos lugares a medida que el número de entradas, la presión sobre los servicios públicos y la preocupación del público aumenta.

WASHINGTON – Four years since the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have developed accountability plans that include blueprints for serving English Learners (ELs), as well as measuring these students’ progress and being accountable for their outcomes. This marked a significant development, as EL performance was previously not well integrated with factors that determined whether a school was performing well or poorly.

WASHINGTON — The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) today published the annual update to its data-rich article, Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States, offering readers a wealth of information that can help inform understanding about an issue that is the subject of much conversation.

WASHINGTON – While the new Trump administration public charge rule is likely to vastly reshape future legal immigration based on its test to assess if a person might ever use public benefits in the future, the universe of non-citizens who could be denied a green card based on current benefits use is quite small.

WASHINGTON – The federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) requires states to publicly report annual performance and graduation rates for students in a range of areas, breaking out results for subgroups with unique characteristics, including English Learners (ELs). The objective is to help schools identify and close achievement gaps experienced by historically underserved groups of students.

As the top destination in Europe for asylum seekers in recent years, Germany has rolled out a number of integration policy changes. Based on an early look at how newcomers’ integration is progressing, the report finds the policies have had ambiguous implications. The report also provides insights into the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the asylum seeker and refugee population.

As migrant- and refugee-receiving countries in Europe, North America, and beyond prioritize services that are focused on employment, language instruction, and civic integration, newcomers who are not in the workplace are at high risk for social isolation. As a result, societies should reconsider what successful integration looks like for vulnerable newcomers who will never find traditional employment or who need a longer-than-average timeline to get there.

On this webinar, experts and state refugee resettlement program leaders discuss two activities that can be key parts of a broader strategy for sustaining and improving employment services for refugees: Partnerships with experts in workforce development strategies, and access to federal workforce development funding.

Addressing the deep-rooted integration challenges unearthed by large-scale migration and rapid social change will require a combination of strategies. Governments in Europe and North America must create a new social contract for increasingly diverse societies that are confronting cycles of disruption. This report sketches a blueprint for an adaptive process oriented by skill needs rather than national origins.

Experts share how states have approached Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) implementation, and areas where the law and state efforts to support English Learners can be improved.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have developed blueprints to meet their commitments under the Every Student Succeeds Act—including requirements that aim to raise the profile of English Learners (EL) in state accountability systems. This report breaks these plans down, comparing the significant diversity of approaches taken on everything from EL identification to tracking academic achievement.

Interested in answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about immigration and immigrants in the United States? This incredible resource collects in one place top statistics from authoritative government and nongovernmental sources, offering a snapshot of the immigrant population, visa and enforcement statistics, and data on emerging trends, including the slowing of growth of the foreign-born population, changing origins, and increasing educational levels.

States publish a wealth of data about their English Learner students’ academic achievement and other outcomes such as graduation rates. But the answer to the question “Who is an EL?” is not always the same. This brief explains how the EL subgroup varies across states and types of data, and why it is important to understand these differences when making decisions about how ELs and schools are faring.

1 onion, grated 1 cup Greek yoghurt 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 lemon, juiced 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 1 tsp. smoked paprika 1/2 tsps. ground coriander 1/2 tsps. ground cumin 500g chicken thighs, cut in to 3 cm pieces 2 tbsps. sesame seeds, toasted tabbouleh 100g burghul 2 1/2 cups frozen peas 1 handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped 1 punnit of cherry tomatoes, halved 1 handful of mint leaves, lightly chopped 3 shallots, thinly sliced 200g Greek feta, crumbled 1/3 cup olive oil 1/2 lemon, juiced 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon Good pinch of sea salt flakes and black pepper

When it comes to bacon, it's everything in moderation... This recipe uses bacon as a seasoning.

This recipe was featured on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment with Raf Epstein on Drive, 774 ABC Melbourne, 3:30 PM, courtesy of George Calombaris. George's new book is called "Greek."

Fresh and tasty chicken pot stickers with a delicious Asian slaw.

This recipe for Kansas City ribs was featured on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment with Raf Epstein on Drive, 774 ABC Melbourne, 3.30PM courtesy of Lance Rosen. Lance's new book is called "Temples of BBQ".

500g chicken mince 1 large zucchini, coarsely grate(200g) 2 shallots, finely sliced 1 free range egg 1 handful of chopped mint leaves 1 handful of chopped fresh coriander 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. Himalayan salt 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper A pinch of chilli flakes Sunflower oil for pan frying Soured Cream And Sumac Sauce 100g sour cream 150g Greek yoghurt 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 and 1/2 tbsps. olive oil 1 tbsp. sumac Pinch of salt and pepper

This recipe featured on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment with Raf Epstein on Drive, 774 ABC Melbourne, 3.30PM, courtesy of Maggie Beer. Maggie's new book is "Autumn Harvest".

Try your hand at this delicious Golden Chicken Stock creation from Maggie Beer.

6 chicken thighs 1 egg 1/2 cup polenta 1 tbsp. sumac 1 tsp cumin seeds salt flakes and freshly ground pepper, to season 60 ml (1/4 cup) pomegranate molasses Avocado Tzatziki: 1 cup)Greek-style yoghurt 1 ripe avocado, flesh coarsely mashed with a fork 3 Lebanese cucumbers, grated, squeeze to remove excess liquid 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves 1 tbsp. chopped mint leaves juice of 1/2 lime pinch of Himalayan salt

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 large brown onion, thinly sliced 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger 1 small red chilli, finely chopped, optional 1 heaped teaspoons ground cumin 1 heaped teaspoon ground coriander teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons #harissa 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato pesto (or regular tomato paste) 1 kg carrots, peeled and fairly finely sliced 150g red lentils, thoroughly washed 1 x 400g can diced tomatoes 2 teaspoons raw sugar 2-3 teaspoons sea salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Approx.1 litres (6 cups) cool water (double-check next time I make it) Juice - 1 lemon (or lime), to taste 1 x 270ml can coconut cream # My favourite harissa is Chris Manfield's which is available in speciality food shops and on-line

Chicken pie with tasty extras

A savoury crumble seems very odd at first but makes a lot of delicious sense when you eat it! Using dried chestnuts, which are available from good Italian grocers reduces the preparation time.

A spicy Thai take on fried chicken, perfect as an entree to get the taste-buds sizzling or part of a main meal with rice and vegetables.

As the cold weather sets in, this nourishing winter dish is perfect to warm hands, feet and heart. The addition of buckwheat flour to polenta gives it a delicious smoky earth flavour and adds to the nutrition level of this dish. Rich in fibre and silica, gluten free buckwheat contain rutin, a bioflavonoid that is know to increase blood circulation and reduce high blood pressure. Perfect for winter!

Cabbage at its best.

2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 teaspoons garlic, minced 1 cup shredded carrots 1 cup cabbage, thinly sliced 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced 1 green chilli, sliced 3 large zucchini, spiralled into noodles 2 large chicken breasts, cooked & shredded Toppings 1/2 cup cashew nuts, chopped spring onion Satay sauce 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/3 cup honey 1/3 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced 1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce

I nearly didn't write the word 'anchovies' in the name of this dish as I know that many people will pretty much automatically by-pass any recipe that has anchovies in it. It's such a shame, because (as is the case with many dishes that include them) they add a depth of flavour and intriguing background note that is perfectly delicious without being at all fishy. If you're one of my mob, and love them, then do give this recipe a try...it's such a simple dish yet full of flavour (I sometimes add a chopped red chilli at the end to give it a bit more oomph too.) The beans are terrific with any sort of grilled meat or fish.

1 1/2 cups fine semolina 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cups Greek yogurt 2 tsps. baking soda 1/2 tsp ground mastic resin, we are substituting ground fennel 3-4 tbsps. butter, melted slivered almonds For the syrup: 2 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups water 1 lemon, cut in half 1/2 tsp. rose water Dash of vanilla extract 1 cinnamon stick

This recipe features on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment on 774 Drive with Raf Epstein, 3.30PM, courtesy of Tony Twitchett, Taxi Kitchen

I seriously love cooking on the Weber more in winter cooler temperature make us feel more cosy and accentuate the taste buds and smell . Replaced the traditional peanuts with our wonderful local macadamias

1.25 kg free-range chicken pieces eg thighs and legs 1/4 cup seasoned plain flour 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped 150g raw chorizo, thickly sliced 1 cup chopped celery 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced 3/4 cup dry white wine eg Riesling, pinot grigio or vermentino 3/4 cup chicken stock 400g can diced tomatoes with juice 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme or oregano 2 wide strips lemon zest salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 400g can chick peas, drained and rinsed* *When in season, use whole peeled and blanched fresh or frozen chestnuts in place of chick peas.

A hot curry, great for a winter's night.

2 granny smith apples, coarsely grated 2 beetroots 1/4 tsp. ground clove 2 star anise 1/2 nutmeg finely grated 200ml balsamic vinegar 150g caster sugar

So quick, easy and delicious for a mid-week dinner.

When you see a Korma-style dish on an Indian menu it generally means it's a rich, fragrant, creamy and very mild curry that includes cardamom, is thickened with nuts and enriched with yoghurt. An absolute crowd-pleaser, wonderful way to introduce curry to children and perfect for cold wet nights.

This recipe features on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment on 774 Drive with Raf Epstein, 3.30PM, shared by the Dinner Ladies (Katherine Westwood & Sophie Gilliatt)

This recipe features on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment on 774 Drive with Raf Epstein, 3.30PM, shared by the Dinner Ladies (Katherine Westwood & Sophie Gilliatt)

This recipe features on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment on 774 Drive with Raf Epstein, 3.30PM, shared by Dan Hunter, chef and owner of Otways' restaurant Brae.

This recipe features on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment on 774 Drive with Raf Epstein, 3.30PM, shared by Martin Zozaya of El Atino & Co.

This recipe features on Foodie Tuesday, a weekly segment on 774 Drive with Raf Epstein, 3.30PM, shared by Matt Purbrick author of Grown & Gathered.

chicken thigh fillets, skinless and cut in to finger length strips 100g melted butter 1 tbsp. native tomato spice mix plum and chilli bottled sauce

It's one that came from the Portuguese colony of Mozambique. Don't let the chili put you off, I've got a two year old daughter who loves this. I used to wonder how the Portuguese got this level of flavour and the trick is, in the marinade, use lemon juice or vinegar. The acid cuts right through and gives a level of authenticity.

I love the texture of a cool tasting coconut custard with market fragrant strawberries macerated in well more coconut liqueur.

Salmon and fennel at its best.