This paper explores the scope and scale of irregular migration to the European Union as well as the various paths into irregularity and the routes used by irregular migrants to enter the European Union.
The paper discusses a number of concepts, taking the position that the terms ‘illegal’, ‘irregular’, ‘undocumented’ and ‘unauthorized’ for migrants have different connotations in national policy debates across the Atlantic. The paper does not define the terms but, instead, highlights that some organizations use the term ‘illegal’ while UN agencies, migrant groups and NGOs prefer the term ‘irregular’. The authors prefer the term ‘irregular’ migration as well.
The methodology for data collection is not discussed, but it appears the authors conducted a review of quantitative data from Frontex on irregular migration to the European Union.
The paper presents irregular migration statistics and examines the various routes for irregular migration to the European Union, including the Central Mediterranean route, the Western Mediterranean route, the Western African route, the eastern borders route, the Western Balkans route the Albania–Greece circular route and the Eastern Mediterranean route.
The paper also explores the principal ways in which non-nationals become unauthorized migrants, such as illegal entry, entry using false documents, entry using legal documents but providing false information in those documents, overstaying a visa-free travel period or temporary residence permit, loss of status because of non-renewal of permit for failing to meet residence requirements or breaching conditions of residence, being born into irregularity, absconding during the asylum procedure or failing to leave a host State after a negative decision and a State’s failure to enforce a return decision for legal or practical reasons.
The paper takes the position that irregular migration negatively impacts host communities by undermining the rule of law, fostering labour exploitation, increasing poverty (by taking jobs away from native workers or adding to the numbers of poor in a country) and putting pressure on public services. It concludes that as European economies recover from the recession and more jobs become available, irregular migration flows may increase. Additionally, the shifting regional hotspots and the responses to them, such as the intensifying clandestine entry through Greece’s land border with Turkey, may have a collateral effect on the calm but vast Eastern border. The paper also concludes that the reactive nature of EU irregular migration to border management operations and return policies suggest that continued and large-scale investments in border enforcement are likely to be required alongside related policies that combat the root causes of such migration.
The article provides insights into the flows and routes of irregular migration to the European Union and draws useful links between the introduction of border controls and irregular migration patterns.
