Migration Policy and Governance

Irregular migration is shaped by both demand and supply: demand from people seeking to move – which, in the absence of sufficient legal pathways translates into a demand for irregular migration – and supply from smugglers who meet that demand and adapt to restrictions and policies. Yet migration policies often focus narrowly on containment and anti-smuggling, rather than addressing migration drivers or expanding safe and legal pathways. Smuggling networks adapt — and even thrive — when restrictions increase, as tighter controls push migrants further into smugglers’ hands.

Effective migration governance must go beyond control and deterrence, to address migration drivers and offer legal alternatives to people on the move. It must also take into account the protection, rights, and needs of people on mixed migration routes, ensuring accountability, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking that uphold both human dignity and practical effectiveness.