EMN Studies and Policy Briefs

The study provides information on the scale, characteristics and trends of migrant smuggling from third countries to the EU. It also analyses legal and political frameworks as well as programmes and operational responses implemented by selected EU Member States and third countries in the fight against migrant smuggling to the EU. The research tools included an EMN Ad-Hoc Query, interviews with stakeholders at the international, EU and national level and five Case Studies focused on specific routes of smuggled migrants. The study was carried out by a consortium of Optimity Advisors, International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), commissioned by the European Commission.

This focussed study informs about different approaches employed in the EU Member States and Norway to ensure that irregular migrants are informed of options for return, including voluntary and assisted voluntary return. Besides, it maps the estimated scale of irregular migration. In respect to the dissemination of information on voluntary return to irregular migrants who are not in contact with the authorities, the study identifies the main challenges faced by Member States, provides information on national approaches involving migration and asylum authorities, other public authorities and other actors, describes the role of various involved actors, provides details about the tools used as well as the evaluation of the effectiveness of these tools.

This focussed study provides an overview of the mechanisms in place in the EU Member States to determine labour shortages and quantifies the needs for migration labour. The study also assesses how the impact of labour migration on national labour markets is monitored and what kind of instruments are used to that end. Finally, the study will explore how the information gathered feed into policy measures.

This focussed study describes EU Member States’ policies and legal frameworks regulating entry and stay of immigrant investors, immigrant business owners and other business persons. The study also deals with measures to prevent abuse of migration of third-country nationals for business purposes and the evaluation of programs focused on attracting immigrant investors. Part of the study is analysis of good practice based on the experience of EU Member States.

The EMN Return Experts Group (REG) Directory provides, for the first time, a European wide mapping of the actors involved in the return process and of the programmes and initiatives implemented in the field of return in each Member State. It is divided into two parts: statistics on e.g. forced return, voluntary departure and assisted voluntary return and Member States’ Country Factsheets. The information was collected over the period April 2014 to October 2014 and will be updated each year.

This focussed study The study describes institutional and legislative framework of care for unaccompanied minors in EU Member States and Norway - their entry, reception and integration measures including accommodation and material support, access to legal aid, health care and education. Moreover, the study analyses possibilities for durable solutions for unaccompanied minors. The scope of the study covers also disappearance of unaccompanied minors and their escape from foster homes, description of existing measures after reaching 18 years of age and their return and reintegration. Besides, the study provides relevant statistical information for the period from 2009 to 2013.

This focussed study analyses to what extent the EU Member States and Norway use the entry bans and readmission agreements to improve their return policy. Specifically, the study focuses on the practical application of entry bans and readmission agreements by Member States, effectiveness of these two instruments from the point of view of returnees and Member States, as well as on their synergies with reintegration assistance. The text is accompanied by current statistics related to irregular migration and return.

This focussed study describes the legislative framework and good practices in the use of detention and alternatives to detention by EU Member States and Norway towards third-country nationals, elaborating more on grounds for detention. The study also contains information about types of detention facilities as well as on conditions of detention. Furthermore, the study analyses impact of detention and alternatives to detention on the effectiveness of return and international protection procedures.