Unauthorized Immigration/Irregular Migration
Explore all research, analysis, commentary, and data on unauthorized immigrants and irregular migrants, terms used in different parts of the world to describe the individuals who lack the right to reside legally in their country of destination, as well as the policies and enforcement practices affecting them.
All Content
Showing 1–10 of 813 results
23rd Annual Immigration Law & Policy Conference
Featuring a keynote by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, immediate past president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and a day of smart panel discussions exploring key U.S. immigration policy and legal issues.
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.
ICE’s Fast-Growing Detention Network Faces Scrutiny amid Record Deaths and Alleged Waste
The Trump administration has expanded immigration detention to unprecedented levels, drawing scrutiny over a record number of detainee deaths, reports of poor conditions, and alleged waste.
U.S. Deportations and “Self-Deportations” in the First 18 Months of the Second Trump Term
Filling a gap amid a slowdown in official data reporting from the federal government, this analysis offers a window into deportation and "self-deportation" trends in an era of unprecedented resources and policy focus on immigration enforcement.
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.
Immigration and Integration Policymaking in a Shifting World: A Blue-Sky Conference to Mark MPI’s 25th Year
At this 25th anniversary conference, leading thinkers examined what makes for effective immigration and integration policy in an increasingly turbulent world.
How Post-9/11 Tools Have Been Used for U.S. Immigration Enforcement
Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001 led to a dramatic expansion of the U.S. national security infrastructure, the Trump administration has repointed many tools to detect, detain, and deport noncitizens.
From Counterterrorism to Immigration Enforcement: 25 Years On, Post-9/11 U.S. Changes Have Been Repointed
Post-9/11 national security tools have been repurposed for immigration, expanding the U.S. government’s capacity for surveillance, data sharing, and enforcement.
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.
Southern Africa’s Migration Integration Is Undermined by Rising Tensions and Changing Trends
Southern Africa’s migration patterns are straining existing governance systems.
