The Migration-Asylum Nexus Definition and significance Notes from a lecture by Stephen Castles and Nick Van Hear Oxford University, COMPASS, 27 Jan

What is the 'migration-asylum' nexus Growing difficulty in separating between forced and economic migration Closely related causes of forced and economic migration Increasing similarities in the migratory process for both categories Common responses: lack of differentiation between asylum seekers and irregular migrants

'Category jumping': Examples Portuguese workers in France s Refugees from fascism Use of people smugglers Regularisation as workers If workers are needed, employers and governments don't care if they are refugees Burmese in Thailand Acehnese in Malaysia

A global problem: forced migration (2003-4) Refugees (1951 Convention definition) 9.7 million (recognised by UNHCR) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 25 m (13 m of them in Africa) Development Induced Displacement 10 million a year (World Bank) Environmental change and disasters Numbers unknown

Towards a political economy of forced migration Globalisation: the North-South Gap Selective inclusion and exclusion in global economy: 'disconnection' Trade, investment and development Trade in small arms, conflict diamonds etc. 'Reconnection' of South and North through ”unwanted' flows and networks Migration as a form of 'reconnection'

The migration-asylum nexus in the South: macro-level Links between poverty, weak states, human rights abuse and conflict Complex emergencies lead to many types of displacement Internal displacement often means impoverishment - and further migration Conflict prevents development - causes economic migration Many migrants have multiple motivations

Political economy of forced migration in the South: micro level Approaches: Commodity chain analysis Livelihood studies Examples: Conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone Cobalt mining in DR Congo Afghanistan: survival in enduring conflict The role of arms trafficking

The MAN in Countries of first asylum and transit Thailand: new industrial country with: labour emigration and immigration refugee inflows Malaysia: Indonesian and Filipino labour - often really refugees Tanzania: less-developed country with: Long-standing and diverse refugee population Strains of long-term support

The migration-asylum nexus in the process of mobility Category jumping as a rational strategy Policies as 'opportunity structures' Migration barriers (visas, carrier sanctions, safe third countries, buffer zones) - create demand for the 'migration industry' The importance of migration networks Irregular movement may lead to long-term irregularity

The nexus between asylum and irregular migration in receiving countries - macro Deterrent measures create incentives for irregular employment and residence Irregular entry helps create networks for irregular work and life Unmet labour demand for low-skilled workers encourages informal sector Media-driven asylum panic leads to hypocritical asylum policies

The micro-level: how does asylum affect local communities? Local conflicts about asylum centres Fears of 'cheap labour' in areas of social exclusion Welfare challenges (e.g. assisting unaccompanied minors) Destitution as challenge to local authorities Dispersal, concentration and potential ethnic conflicts

Migration from Sri Lanka Elite/professionals Students Refugees and asylum seekers Labour migration Family reunion/foundation

Tamils in the UK Post independence 1948: professionals From 1960s, discrimination and hardening ethnic nationalisms: students From 198Os: conflict refugees and asylum seekers 199Os: acceleration of asylum migration From 2002: decline in asylum migration Family reunion From 2000: regrouping/relocation/secondary migration

Consequences of the Migration- Asylum Nexus Diversified migrant populations in host countries Diversified migrant destinations: diasporisation Proliferation and diversification of transnational linkages - Households at home have a portfolio of transnational resources - Diaspora households have a portfolio of obligations

The future of the migration-asylum nexus Era of asylum migration to affluent countries drawing to close Asylum migration to middle income countries? Other legal channels will continue: limited labour migration, family reunion, high skilled, students... Irregular migration will continue Regrouping: eg movement from continental Europe to the UK Containment of 'mixed migration' in regions of origin In- region migration management: sorting migrants in regions of origin Effects on diaspora formation, transnational links, and the global political economy?