Irregular migration flow: dreams of a better life often travel on illegal networks.

• Author: Lupini, Letizia

PEOPLE ARE ON THE MOVE, building an intricate net of global and social inter-dependencies across borders as a result of globalization. According to the UN Population Division, in 2005, 191 million people, representing 3 per cent of the world's population, were living outside their countries of origin--a significant shift compared to 75 million in 1960. In his 2002 report, "Strengthening the United Nations: an agenda for further change", Secretary-General Kofi Annan characterized international migration as one of the main issues on which the Organization had to deepen its knowledge, sharpen its focus and act more effectively.

Not only has the number of international migrants more than doubled in the past 45 years, but irregular migration flows across international borders have also rapidly increased. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that irregular migration "occurs outside the rules and procedures guiding the orderly international movement of people". Its estimates for the undocumented migrant population in Europe vary between 3 million and 8 million.

Although Governments often cannot collect accurate figures on irregular migrants, there are clear facts concerning some countries of entry in Europe. IOM data reveal that more than 27,000 people arrived in the Canary Islands (Spain) as irregular immigrants between January and October 2006, while Lampedusa (Italy) had more than 17,000 undocumented immigrants. The other key destinations are the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and France. It is estimated that the United Kingdom is host to about 500,000 irregulars.

For developing countries, wellness and prosperity represent a dream that is often inaccessible. The migration phenomenon usually involves people who are looking to escape the poorest and most remote parts of the world (with the hope of starting a new life in a country that will offer them better economic and social opportunities) political refugees in search of asylum and refugees fleeing violence and conflicts. However, opportunities for legal migration are usually limited due to the introduction of restrictive policies and the reluctance of host Governments to admit unskilled migrants.

Illegal private networks play a substantial role as intermediary channels between the migrant and the host country, and are especially instrumental in the choice of an ultimate destination. These networks are based upon personal relationships between migrants and...