Irregular migration

Abstract

A striking evidence is the high figures of undocumented migrants in Jordan. The questions asked in the present report are the following: do these figures signal a failure of policies? What are actually the aims of policies directed at illegal migrants in Jordan? And, ultimately, are unauthorized migrants really unwanted, and why? The report proceeds to review and analyse policies announced, as well as their implementation patterns. The conclusion reached is that migrants, workers or refugees, seem to be wanted or, at least, tolerated, but mostly as illegal, rights-less sojourners. Segregation towards Arab and Asian migrants gives them a structural role in the definition of a national citizenship based on granting of rights, in the negotiation of a 'post-rentier" social contract as well as in the promotion of a Jordan inserted in the capital circulation' networks on the international level. Efficiency of control and law enforcement tools is thus not the issue, as illegal migration is itself a political strategy responding to security agendas. However, a very recent trend towards organising campaigns of migrants' regularisation can be spotted, as part of closer monitoring of labour market' rationalisation measures and heavy involvement from international agencies in the field of migration issues. Drawing on these recent changes, the report suggests a broader initiative extended to other Middle Eastern migrant-receiving countries like Jordan, in order to speed up implementation of migrants' protection measures and help justifying it in front of populations and investors.