irregular migration *
3.6 Conclusions
The small but, in some corridors, increasing scale of irregular maritime migration belies its significance to States (as a notoriously difficult phenomenon to manage), to migrants (as a particularly high risk, and sometimes deadly, form of irregular migration) and societies (who are polarised by the multitude of issues it raises). In this sense, irregular maritime migration encapsulates one of the most contentious fault-lines between State sovereignty and international humanitarian obligations and responsibilities. Strong links tend to be made by States between migration control, border protection and state sovereignty. States are often concerned to demonstrate that they have a firm grip on the movement of people across borders—a sovereign right that tends to be jealously guarded (Brouwer & Kumin 2003; Van Selm & Cooper 2005). It is understandable
then that irregular maritime migration has been described as what Rittel and Webber term a ‘wicked problem’—one that is complex, multi-faceted as well as dynamic and difficult to adequately conceptualise and respond to (McAuliffe & Mence 2014b, 26; Newland et al 2016; Rittel & Webber 1973). This is demonstrated by a more thorough account of migrant smuggling via maritime means, which strongly indicates that a far easier feat of migrant ‘delivery’ is involved compared to the much more difficult migrant ‘smuggling’ involved in needing to gain entry via air or land.
For asylum seekers in pursuit of international protection from countries without easy access to visas, it may represent a last resort and highly risky option. One that is facilitated by migrant smugglers, who operate without regulation and are able to exploit and abuse migrants with impunity. For many potential migrants irregular maritime migration represents a double-edged sword, providing the opportunity to exercise agency by undertaking international migration but coupled with the ultimate risk of never reaching the destination and dying en route.
Notes
1 E-Visa means electronic visa; ETA means electronic travel authority; TRIPS means the Travel and Immigration Processing System; PACE means the Passenger Analysis Clearance and Evaluation System; APP means Advanced Passenger Processing.
2 A well-documented and researched example is the rise of the internet, which largely emerged in a regulatory ‘free’ zone.
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