Migration has become more central to political and policy discourse in Europe, particularly in recent years. Political parties that use migration as a rallying piece in their platforms have become more prominent, building on the narrative of increasing irregular migration. Often, such discourse draws on data in an inflammatory way, suggesting ever mounting numbers. But a new Policy Brief, which accompanies a more detailed working paper and a new public database, suggests there has been no definitive change in the number and share of irregular migrant population in the region since the estimates made in the Clandestino Project in 2008.
Countries
Austria / Belgium / France / Germany / Finland / Greece / Ireland / Netherlands / Poland / Portugal / Spain / Canada / United States of America / United Kingdom
Status
Ongoing
Duration
October 2022
to
September 2025
Donors
European Commission (Horizon Europe)
Partners
Universität für Weiterbildung Krems (DUK) (leading), European University Institute (EUI), Universität Osnabrück (UOS), Maastricht University, University of Turku (UTurku), Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), University of Leicester (ULEIC), The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford (UOXF), Università degli Studi di Milano (UMIL), Universität Potsdam (UP), Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), Migration Policy Institute Europe (MPIE), Centre of Migration Research, University of Warsaw (UNIWARSAW), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Ryerson University
This project aims to establish how different quantifications of irregular migration can address particular stakeholder needs, and map different indicators and estimates concerning the irregular migrant population and other migrants with an unstable legal status. Through a rigorous review of existing estimation methods, we will develop and pilot innovative approaches for measuring specific dimensions of migrant irregularity and how policies are implemented. The quantitative work of the project will be complemented by a systematic policy analysis and an engagement of key stakeholders from local, regional and national governments, data producers, supra-national institutions, NGOs, and others. MIrreM will also analyse trends and outcomes of regularisation policies and practices in the EU, US and Canada, exploring in particular views of different stakeholders and reasons for the (non-)implementation of regularisation in the past decade.
Project Contact
Maegan Hendow
Senior Researcher