Dhaka, March 28 -- Millions of people across the Global South leave home in search of more opportunity in richer countries. In the process, they participate in, and add to, a complex network of globe-spanning economic linkages that operates through migrants' remittances to the countries they left behind. Yet hardly a day goes by without Western media highlighting the problem of undocumented immigration. With migrants being portrayed as people who take jobs from locals and cause social unrest, public opinion toward newcomers has soured in destination countries.

Not only is Donald Trump back in the White House, but far-right parties are making gains across Europe. They have come to power in Italy and become decisive forces in French and Ge...