Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MIrreM (Measuring Irregular Migration and related Policies)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-10-01 do 2023-09-30
Irregular migration is a contested policy issue, involving conflicting values and perspectives, differing opinions about the nature and scope of the phenomenon, and debate about the impacts of policy options. This lack of consensus, in turn, has contributed to widely differing assessments of the size and characteristics of the irregular migrant population, as well as its observable trends, policy impacts and policy effectiveness. In order to address irregular migration, it is necessary to know more about the population of migrants in an irregular situation and its characteristics. Who is considered to be irregularly staying? What are the defining features of migrant irregularity? How should we understand migrants who do not have a regular legal status, but are not strictly irregular either? How is irregular movement linked to irregular stay? What can we say about the characteristics of the irregular migrant population? Which feasible political options can be developed to offer migrants pathways out of irregularity?
MIrreM’s overall objective is to provide a sound evidence basis for policies concerning irregular migration and regularisation.
To fulfil this objective the project comprises an extensive review of data, and policy analysis in 20 countries in Europe (AT, BE, BA, DE, EL, ES, FI, FR, IE, IT, NL, PL, PT, RS, TR, UK), North America (CA, US), and North Africa (MA, TN). MIrreM’s methods lab will develop and pilot innovative estimation approaches. Based on a review of regularisation policies, case studies of their implementation and effects, we will then develop regularisation scenarios that can guide stakeholders on available options in particular circumstances, as well as the implications of such policy options. The conclusions of the project will be summarised in two handbooks elaborated together with two working groups to be launched in spring 2024.
MIrreM’s overall objective is to provide a sound evidence basis for policies concerning irregular migration and regularisation.
To fulfil this objective the project comprises an extensive review of data, and policy analysis in 20 countries in Europe (AT, BE, BA, DE, EL, ES, FI, FR, IE, IT, NL, PL, PT, RS, TR, UK), North America (CA, US), and North Africa (MA, TN). MIrreM’s methods lab will develop and pilot innovative estimation approaches. Based on a review of regularisation policies, case studies of their implementation and effects, we will then develop regularisation scenarios that can guide stakeholders on available options in particular circumstances, as well as the implications of such policy options. The conclusions of the project will be summarised in two handbooks elaborated together with two working groups to be launched in spring 2024.
MIrreM started in October 2022. During the first months of the project the team has focused on laying the foundations for methodology, the conceptual framework, research communication and impact.
Specifically, MIrreM has:
• developed a project website and prepared a publication series
• appointed an Advisory Board that is closely involved with the project
• developed a detailed strategy for Communication and Impact
• launched a project newsletter that now has more than 300 subscribers
• co-organised a joint webinar series together with other Horizon Europe projects
• published papers focused on the conceptualisation of migrant irregularity, stakeholder engagement, stakeholders' data needs and usage, ethics and a review of estimation methods
• commenced policy reviews in the research countries and gathered available data on stocks and flows of irregular migration
• prepared pilot studies using new innovative methods for estimating irregular migration
• implemented processes for ensuring ethics clearances and approvals of fieldwork
• launched a stakeholder survey and held stakeholder workshops in the countries under study.
Specifically, MIrreM has:
• developed a project website and prepared a publication series
• appointed an Advisory Board that is closely involved with the project
• developed a detailed strategy for Communication and Impact
• launched a project newsletter that now has more than 300 subscribers
• co-organised a joint webinar series together with other Horizon Europe projects
• published papers focused on the conceptualisation of migrant irregularity, stakeholder engagement, stakeholders' data needs and usage, ethics and a review of estimation methods
• commenced policy reviews in the research countries and gathered available data on stocks and flows of irregular migration
• prepared pilot studies using new innovative methods for estimating irregular migration
• implemented processes for ensuring ethics clearances and approvals of fieldwork
• launched a stakeholder survey and held stakeholder workshops in the countries under study.
MIrreM aims to promote a shared understanding of key dimensions of irregular migration, in order to contribute to more effective and coherent policies on irregular migration and regularisation.
The specific objectives set out in MIrreM will result in:
1. A refined understanding of migrant irregularity and a systematic classification of different types of migrants in an irregular and related situations.
2. A better understanding of the relationship between pathways in and out of irregularity, on the one hand, and stocks of irregular migrants, on the other.
3. A rigorous review of estimates on irregular migrants living in the EU, including those working.
4. The development of methodologies to estimate the number of irregular migrants, specific categories of migrants and characteristics of irregular migrants.
5. Clarification of the links between policies and migrant irregularity in a multi-level setting.
6. A better understanding of data needs and usage at different policy levels.
7. An examination of policy responses to irregular migration at the local, national and EU level.
8. The development of tools to assess the viability and costs of regularisation programmes, alongside their economic, socio-demographic and health benefits.
9. Tangible recommendations for the production and use of quantitative data on the irregular migrant population and in relation to regularisation – targeting various policy levels and types of stakeholders.
The expected impacts of MIrreM are:
Impact 1 Stronger Data – Generate more accurate information about the size and characteristics of the population in an irregular situation via innovative and scalable estimation methods.
Impact 2 Enhanced Policies – Develop a systematic and in-depth understanding of how migration management policies and practices shape migrant irregularity in a wide range of countries in Europe, North America and North Africa.
Impact 3 Knowledge Exchange – Sustained involvement of stakeholders through two working groups on data on irregular migration and regularisation, respectively.
Objective 4 Feasible Solutions – Disseminate strategies for assessing the costs and benefits of regularisation and to provide practical avenues for improving the quantitative evidence-base on irregular migration.
The specific objectives set out in MIrreM will result in:
1. A refined understanding of migrant irregularity and a systematic classification of different types of migrants in an irregular and related situations.
2. A better understanding of the relationship between pathways in and out of irregularity, on the one hand, and stocks of irregular migrants, on the other.
3. A rigorous review of estimates on irregular migrants living in the EU, including those working.
4. The development of methodologies to estimate the number of irregular migrants, specific categories of migrants and characteristics of irregular migrants.
5. Clarification of the links between policies and migrant irregularity in a multi-level setting.
6. A better understanding of data needs and usage at different policy levels.
7. An examination of policy responses to irregular migration at the local, national and EU level.
8. The development of tools to assess the viability and costs of regularisation programmes, alongside their economic, socio-demographic and health benefits.
9. Tangible recommendations for the production and use of quantitative data on the irregular migrant population and in relation to regularisation – targeting various policy levels and types of stakeholders.
The expected impacts of MIrreM are:
Impact 1 Stronger Data – Generate more accurate information about the size and characteristics of the population in an irregular situation via innovative and scalable estimation methods.
Impact 2 Enhanced Policies – Develop a systematic and in-depth understanding of how migration management policies and practices shape migrant irregularity in a wide range of countries in Europe, North America and North Africa.
Impact 3 Knowledge Exchange – Sustained involvement of stakeholders through two working groups on data on irregular migration and regularisation, respectively.
Objective 4 Feasible Solutions – Disseminate strategies for assessing the costs and benefits of regularisation and to provide practical avenues for improving the quantitative evidence-base on irregular migration.