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.
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Small Boats, Big Stakes: Options for a UK-EU deal on migration and asylum
Small boat crossings to the United Kingdom have surged since 2018; a post-Brexit readmissions deal with the EU, paired with managed pathways, could help address them.
Seeking to Ramp Up Deportations, the Trump Administration Quietly Expands a Vast Web of Data
The Trump administration is building an unprecedented data network for immigration enforcement—tapping sensitive tax, health, and benefits records—raising privacy concerns for immigrants and citizens alike.
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.
Facing New Migration Realities: U.S.-Mexico Relations and Shared Interests
U.S.-Mexico cooperation reduced unauthorized migration from 2020 to 2024; lasting progress hinges on legal pathways, regional engagement, and border infrastructure.
Supporting Migrants Returning to Fragile Contexts: Lessons from Iraq and Somalia
Speakers explored challenges in designing and delivering reintegration support in for returning migrants to Iraq, Somalia, and other fragile environments.
Repealing Birthright Citizenship Would Significantly Increase the Size of the U.S. Unauthorized Population
Repealing birthright citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil to unauthorized immigrants or temporary visa holders would have a contrary result from its stated aim of reducing the unauthorized immigrant population. Projections from MPI and Penn State show that ending birthright citizenship would increase the unauthorized population by 2.7 million as of 2045 and by 5.4 million as of 2075.
Immigration Actions in First 100 Days of Trump Second Term
Analysts assessed the most consequential immigration actions taken during the first 100 days of President Trump's second term, detailed the litigation picture, and analyzed some of the early effects of policies on U.S. communities.
In First 100 Days, Trump 2.0 Has Dramatically Reshaped the U.S. Immigration System, but Is Not Meeting Mass Deportation Aims
President Donald Trump's second term has produced the most sweeping U.S. immigration changes since 9/11, but some deportation goals remain out of reach.
Schools and Immigrant Students Navigate an Era of Rising Immigration Enforcement
U.S. schools are developing guidance to govern responses in the event of ICE operations. Safe zone initiatives, rooted in legal protections such as the Fourth Amendment, Plyler v. Doe, and 1964 Civil Rights Act, aim to keep schools in compliance with federal and state law, minimize classroom disruption, and ensure consistent attendance, though their success depends on effective implementation, as this short read explains.
The Forgotten Side of Deportation: The Cost of Ignoring Returnees’ Reintegration Challenges
As the U.S. government seeks to ramp up deportations, greater focus should be given to the reception and reintegration of returnees to Mexico and Central America. Despite modest improvements, reception and reintegration programs in these countries have been largely ineffective at improving returnees' long-term conditions—often the same ones that prompted their original migration.
