Huddled Masses and Uncertain Shores

This text explores the complexities of contemporary irregular migration and discerns its possible remedies. It discusses issues of definition and includes a critical analysis of the causes and conditions of irregular migration and its affects on both sending and receiving countries.

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Irregular migration, including trafficking in migrants, has emerged as a major international challenge. It now represents one-third or more of the yearly legal inflow in the United States and half in Europe. At the global level some US$7 billion is channelled every year into human trafficking. Its close interlocking with trafficking in arms and drugs, as well as with prostitution of women and child abuse, makes it an increasingly alarming menace. This book serves to unveil the complexities of contemporary irregular migration and discern its possible remedies. A discussion on issues of definition is followed by a critical analysis of the causes and conditions of irregular migration and its social and economic affects in both sending and receiving countries. Its analysis of the current national measures against irregular migration helps in understanding the reasons for their inadequacies. The conclusions are shaped into an outline of a coherent, comprehensive, and forward-looking strategy to combat irregular migration.