Policy and Legislation

This article draws on data from a recent research project conducted among asylum-seekers living in 14 of Ireland’s Direct Provision accommodation centres. This research was commissioned by the International Organization for Migration mission to Ireland (IOM Dublin) and was designed to explore how asylum seekers who are currently residents in Ireland’s Direct...

Media coverage of armed civil conflict rarely highlights the fact that temporary migrant workers often are among the innocent civilians who suffer, as occurred during the Libyan civil war. That conflict, which began in February 2011, resulted in the displacement and evacuation of migrants on a size and scale not seen in recent years -- with hundreds of...

The second EMN Focussed Study 2012 reflects on challenges in establishing the identity of (rejected) applicants for international protection in Austria, both in the asylum procedure and the procedure to implement forced return.

This compilation summarises the most relevant EU acquis documents relating to migration. It provides an overview of the relevant legislation and policy developments. The EU acquis concerning the short-term entry and admission and departure of third-country nationals is determined to a large extent by the Schengen acquis, which was incorporated into the...

Since 2000, IOM has been producing world migration reports. The World Migration Report 2020, the tenth in the world migration report series, has been produced to contribute to increased understanding of migration throughout the world. This new edition presents key data and information on migration as well as thematic chapters on highly topical migration...

This compilation summarises the most relevant EU acquis documents relating to migration. It provides an overview of the relevant legislation and policy developments. The EU acquis concerning the short-term entry and admission and departure of third-country nationals is determined to a large extent by the Schengen acquis, which was incorporated into the...

Assisted voluntary return (AVR) is a new approach to return of irregular immigrants aiming at combating unlawful migration, and thus strengthening national immigration systems. AVR lowers risks of the violation of human rights and preserves migrants’ dignity and safety. In addition, it carries fewer political and financial costs. AVR of irregular immigrants...

Many European governments increasingly seek to return migrant children to their countries of origin or transit, but this is often not undertaken in full accordance with international obligations on children’s rights, nor with respect for children’s best interests. This report highlights the human rights obligations of the four governments under examination...

This study focuses on Austria’s policies and practices regarding unaccompanied minors following the determination of their residence status. It explores support and integration measures for unaccompanied minors once their residence status has been established as well as policies and procedures regarding their return after an application has been rejected...

IOM’s assisted return activities have become an indispensable part of ensuring the integrity of regular migration. They are part of a comprehensive approach to migration management, which includes timely asylum adjudication, effective removals of irregular migrants, regular migration options and accurate public information on those options. When implemented...

This paper is part of the IOM Migration Research Leaders Syndicate’s contribution toward the Global Compact for Migration. It is one of 26 papers that make up a consolidated Syndicate publication, which focuses on proposing ways to address complex and pressing issues in contemporary international migration. The Migration Research Leaders Syndicate, convened...

Despite considerable efforts by governments, civil society, and communities to prevent and reduce trafficking, the trade continues, and is reportedly worsening in some areas. Trafficked persons are often subject to abuse such as rape, torture, debt bondage, unlawful confinement, and threats against their family or other persons close to them as well as other...

This Manual is the result of close and fruitful cooperation between the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Federal Migration Service of Russia (FMS), has been written by experts from each organization and contains a quintessence of knowledge collected on readmission in Russia to date. The Manual consists of two Volumes. Volume One in its...

The purpose of this study, “Assessing the Risks of Migration along the Central and Eastern Mediterranean Routes: Iraq and Nigeria as Case Study Countries” is to give breadth to the concept of “safe migration” by analysing patterns of migration and return from two case study countries: Iraq and Nigeria. IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre completed...

In 2013, massive labour migrants were deported from Saudi Arabia as a consequence of the Nitaqat programme, which aimed to increase job opportunities for Saudi citizens. Neighbouring Yemen has been most affected by the programme, with almost 600,000 Yemenis crossing the border back into Yemen. The economic situation of Yemen, one of the poorest countries in...

Among the different stages of the migration process, return is the one which is least well understood. The motives guiding return cannot be easily categorized and are highly context dependent (Bastia, 2011). Scholars and policymakers have focused on understanding and analysing decisions for departure, failing to acknowledge that migration is a...

This summary report provides a detailed analysis of the situation of migrants who have returned home to several West African countries as a result of the conflict in Libya. This report is the full version which IOM’s Policy in Brief – Returnees from Libya: The Bittersweet Experience of Coming Home is based on. It provides an understanding of the factors that...

This study describes the role of entry bans and readmission agreements to support Austria's return policy. Legal regulations concerning entry bans are examined, particularly in connection with return decisions. Various aspects regarding the practical application of entry bans are also analysed. After providing a comprehensive overview of existing readmission...

More than 2 million Southerners have returned to South Sudan since 2005, following the end of the North–South civil war. Building on research conducted in South Sudan, as well as Egypt and northern Uganda, Ensor examines the process of reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons returning to South Sudan since the signing of the 2005 Peace...

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is a core activity of IOM and has provided vital assistance to tens of thousands of migrants returning home every year. It is also a growing area of work as an increasing number of States – both host countries as well as countries of origin – recognize the value of AVRR as an essential component of an...