SIXTH INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS CONFERENCE

WORKSHOP 13: Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers and other Irregular Migrants

ORGANIZERS

Dr Khalid Koser
University Lecturer
University College London
London
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-20-73807564
Fax: +44-20-73807565
Email: kkoser@geog.ucl.ac.uk

Dr Joanne van Selm
University Lecturer
IMES, University of Amsterdam
Rokin 84
1012 KX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-20-5253627
Fax: +31-20-5253628
Email: jv27@gunet.georgetown.edu

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Rising asylum applications, steady rates of refugee recognition and successful backlog clearance exercises have meant that industrialised countries are hosting increasing numbers of rejected asylum seekers. Growing numbers of other migrants in an irregular situation, including the victims of trafficking, and those outstaying the end of their temporary protection, have compounded their numbers. Their return is quickly rising on political agendas.

In this workshop we seek to encourage dialogue between practitioners and academics, to consider whether and how the return of irregular migrants should proceed. It is our contention that the policy imperative to return all irregular migrants needs more careful assessment than it currently appears to receive. There are a number of assumptions and tensions that we will seek to address. First, policy attention to this issue assumes that returns will reduce further irregular migrations, and can be a strategy in combating trafficking. To what extent is this assumption valid? Second, there must be concerns that at least some migrants will be placed in a vulnerable situation if they are returned. They may face persecution by governments in their countries of origin simply by virtue of having sought asylum in the first place; they may be indebted to moneylenders from whom loans have been taken in order to pay smugglers. Third, to what extent is it acceptable and necessary to consider the role irregular migrants might play in filling labour market gaps in host societies? Fourthly, the tension between the policy rhetoric of return and the relative absence of return movements in practice, and the political motives of both, will be discussed.

Where return does proceed, a careful assessment needs to be made of appropriate policy approaches. While some countries (such as France and Switzerland) have successfully returned significant numbers of irregular migrants, others have largely failed. What are the lessons to be learned? What is the role of assistance in facilitating the return of irregular migrants, and especially in encouraging sustainable return? And what are the particular requirements of 'special groups', including the victims of trafficking and separated children? Finally, is it possible to achieve a consensus between all the stakeholders in the return process, including host governments, home governments and migrant and refugee communities?

Presenters:

Cristina Hamilton (INS, United States)
Richard Lewis (European Commission)
Kathleen Newland (MPI)
Ewald Riks (Ministry of Justice, The Netherlands)
Trees Wijn - Maatman (VluchtelingenWerk Nederland)