Externalization
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How Europe Was Transformed by the 2015-16 Migration and Refugee Crisis
Ten years after the 2015-16 migration and refugee crisis, the European Union has reshaped its process for dividing up asylum claims and controlling external borders. Many systems are stronger and newcomers have integrated into their new countries, but tensions remain and key questions are unresolved.
How the United States Is Using Third Countries to Expand Immigration Control
U.S. deportations of individuals to a country other than that of their citizenship have been on the rise since 2025, with the growing number of third-country arrangements raising questions about safeguards.
Migration Diplomacy in an Age of Transactionalism
As international cooperation frays, balanced diplomacy—rather than coercive dealmaking—promises the most effective approach to emerging migration challenges.
A New Prime Minister, a New Deal: Time for an ambitious UK–EU pact on small boats
The arrival of a new UK Prime Minister offers a window to strike an ambitious UK-EU deal on Channel crossings, trading increased returns for humanitarian routes from Europe.
Countries Are Pushing Borders Outward to Expand Deterrence and Protection Alike
Externalization—the enlistment of partner countries to manage migration before people arrive or assist with removals and returns—has shifted from the policy fringe into the mainstream. Models range from deterrence to protection.
How Immigration Crackdowns and Aid Cuts Are Reshaping Migration Across Central America
Tighter U.S. and Mexican border policies and sharp humanitarian aid cuts are reshaping Central America into a region of prolonged transit, forced return, and stranded mobility.
U.S. Third-Country Deportation Agreements Are More About Fear than Numbers
The Trump administration's third-country deportation agreements with 27 governments represent a small share of U.S. removals. But fear may be their main function.
Denmark’s Turn to Temporary Protection Has Made It a Pioneer in Restrictive Immigration Policies
Denmark has pioneered some of Europe's most restrictive humanitarian migration policies under a center-left government, making temporary protection the norm and inspiring neighbors to follow.
Top 10 Migration Issues of 2024
The Migration Information Source's annual list of the Top 10 migration issues of the year takes stock of 2024’s key developments.
Turkey Aims to Halt Irregular Migration and Migrant Smuggling in the Eastern Mediterranean
Turkey sits at the crossroads of busy irregular migration routes, where criminal smuggling networks profit from movement that neither border walls nor EU deals have stopped.
