1 Metropolis Session: Irregular Migration: Perspectives from both countries of origin and destination Contextualizing Irregular Migration Christine Aghazarm, IOM Geneva

2 Defining irregular migration Irregular migration patterns and magnitude Impact of irregular migration on development Perceptions of irregular migration Approaches to addressing irregular migration Presentation outline

3 Defining irregular migration

4 General consensus irregular migration is on the increase, despite temporary dip during the economic crisis Of the 214 million international migrants, 10-15% estimated to be in an irregular situation (UNDESA 2009, IOM 2010) Up to 1/3 of migrants from developing countries may migrate irregularly (UNDP 2009). Some figures...

5 Types of Irregular Migration Irregular foreign residents Visa or permit overstayers (legal entry - irregular residence and/or employment) Regular foreign residents - irregular employment Failed asylum seekers Smuggled migrants Victims of human trafficking

6 Irregular Migration Patterns

7 Regional and National Variations... some examples Americas (including the US and Canada) - US biggest destination –Estimates of 11.2 millions unauthorized population in the US (Pew Hispanic Center, 2010) –Brazil regularization campaign ,000 regularized Europe –2008 irregular migrants in EU accounted for million; make up less than 1% of EU total population (Clandestino 2009) Asia –primarily intra-regional. 1 in 4 migrant workers in East and SouthEast Asia in an irregular situation (IOM 2008). Africa –flows primarily intra-regional; weak data

8 Drivers of Irregular Migration Drivers similar to regular migration –shaped by socio-economic conditions at origin and destination Mismatches in labour supply and demand coupled with inadequate channels for regular migration (particularly in low skilled sectors) Labour market segmentation - formal and informal economy

9 Regardless of status migrants do contribute back home and at destination remittance sending, type of work undertaken at destination Remittances sent through informal channels, sent at higher cost and potentially less sent Reduced opportunity for return irregular status does not allow for free movement; impact on skills transfer and mobility Impacts of Irregular Migration on Development

10 Perceptions of Irregular Migration – Destination: Perceptions tend to be primarily negative Migration = irregular migration Media and political focus - increased politicization Public tends to overestimate the numbers of irregular migrants –Origin: under-researched; more linked to return –shame associated with deportation, forced return, “failure” of migration, VoTs migrants, more broadly, perception often tied to changing migration narrative from “traitors” to “heroes”

11 Approaches to Managing Irregular Migration – Regularization campaigns – Information campaigns – Increasing border control and employment checks – Return and reintegration programmes – Combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking –Policy dialogue and cooperation mechanisms (GFMD, RCPs, etc)