Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the legal migrant in Poland, Portugal, Latvia, and Belgium

Abstract

Purpose: The article aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic about legal migrants in selected European Union countries amidst the tighter restrictions and travel constraints introduced worldwide. Design/Methodology/Approach: The article uses data and source analysis and a modeling method to demonstrate the extrapolation of migration trends. Findings: The employed methodology enabled the authors to establish that in Poland, Portugal, Latvia, and Belgium, measures were taken to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of legal migrants residing on their territories during the introduction of the movement restrictions. Practical Implications: According to the authors, the exposure of the measures against the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants may deepen cooperation between the country authorities concerning helping legal migrants, leading to strengthened security in this area. Originality/value: In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dynamically changing health situation in the world, as well as the related lack of up-to-date sources and studies, partial scientific studies demonstrating a selected fragment of reality are critical. In the short and long term, they will enable researchers to learn about the type of actions taken by state authorities concerning migrants legally residing in their territory.