Decentering Return Migration Research: Are we on the same page?

by: Joris Schapendonk | Radboud University

The issue of terminology and definitions, and more particularly, the issue of translating terminologies and definitions across different disciplines and geopolitical settings appears to be a constant challenge in large interdisciplinary research projects that cover broad geographical areas. Our GAPs project that seeks to decentre the study of migrant returns and return migration policies is no exception…

Read Blog Post

This report has mapped out the legislative, institutional and procedural frameworks and infrastructures concerned with returning the unauthorised migrants from the Netherlands. A focus on the period 2015-2023 was maintained. An overview on the return statistics is provided. Furthermore, the policy and legislative developments were tracked down. The relation between the Dutch national legislation, the European and international law has beenexplained. The procedures regarding return both at the border and from within the national territory, return of the unaccompanied minors, forced and voluntary return have been explained in detail in section 4. In addition to special cases regarding the obligation to return, entry bans, detention and safeguards. The institutional framework has been outlined where the organisations and involved actors in implementing returns were enlisted as well as the dynamics of their collaboration within the so-called “Migration Chain”. The report has included the readmission efforts of the Netherlands both with EU and non-EU countries, regarding the…

Read Full Paper