lections in 2024 were tough on incumbents, with irregular migration a significant campaign issue across much of the world. Just before the U.S. elections in November, a NYT/Siena poll found that 57% of likely voters supported deporting migrants unlawfully in America. Donald Trump pledged strong action on migrants and was a beneficiary of this sentiment, as were like–minded politicians in other Western countries.
In 2025, strong action on migration will happen, but delivering on this promise will be complicated: You cannot toss people across a border without first establishing a process for their safe and lawful reception. To do otherwise violates international law and could lead to a humanitarian crisis, which might reverse the opinion of those who supported deportation in concept. Writing in Foreign Affairs, International Organization for Migration Director–General Amy Pope cautions that border restrictions, large–scale deportations, or violation of migrant legal protections "feed the problem rather than solve it."
What is needed is a longer–term, whole–of–government approach to the issue, which mitigates the negative drivers of migration, especially forced migration. An example is unfolding in Syria following the fall of dictator Bashar al–Assad. Nations across Europe, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Greece—among others—have now suspended the processing of Syrian asylum claims yet also maintain harsh economic sanctions against Damascus. The UN High Commission on Refugees has noted the large number of Syrians now seeking to return to their country, but conflicting policies do not help.
As of last year, more Venezuelan refugees had migrated than Syrians over the course of their civil war. Instead of seizing the opportunity of a peaceful election to address the driver of this large–scale migration—the illegitimate rule of Nicolas Maduro—the international community allowed the regime to steal the election and the influx of forced migrants from that country continues.
Another major source of migration can be found in Russia's unlawful invasion of Ukraine. In 2025, Ukrainian refugee numbers in Europe were at 6.8 million. A just and secure peace agreement will be needed before many of these refugees, largely women and children, can return to Ukraine. The matter of Ukrainian refugees will not be resolved until a safe environment is established.
Voters in 2024 charged new governments worldwide with addressing irregular migration. States must work to align policies across government to address the challenges of modern day migration. This holistic approach is not just a suggestion, but a necessity in the face of such a complex issue.
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Globally, irregular migration action should be whole–of–government
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
February 21, 2025
Expect strong action on migration globally in 2025, but effective and human action are both complicated. A whole–of–government approach that addresses negative drivers of migration, especially forced migration, writes Thomas E. Garrett.
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lections in 2024 were tough on incumbents, with irregular migration a significant campaign issue across much of the world. Just before the U.S. elections in November, a NYT/Siena poll found that 57% of likely voters supported deporting migrants unlawfully in America. Donald Trump pledged strong action on migrants and was a beneficiary of this sentiment, as were like–minded politicians in other Western countries.
In 2025, strong action on migration will happen, but delivering on this promise will be complicated: You cannot toss people across a border without first establishing a process for their safe and lawful reception. To do otherwise violates international law and could lead to a humanitarian crisis, which might reverse the opinion of those who supported deportation in concept. Writing in Foreign Affairs, International Organization for Migration Director–General Amy Pope cautions that border restrictions, large–scale deportations, or violation of migrant legal protections "feed the problem rather than solve it."
What is needed is a longer–term, whole–of–government approach to the issue, which mitigates the negative drivers of migration, especially forced migration. An example is unfolding in Syria following the fall of dictator Bashar al–Assad. Nations across Europe, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Greece—among others—have now suspended the processing of Syrian asylum claims yet also maintain harsh economic sanctions against Damascus. The UN High Commission on Refugees has noted the large number of Syrians now seeking to return to their country, but conflicting policies do not help.
As of last year, more Venezuelan refugees had migrated than Syrians over the course of their civil war. Instead of seizing the opportunity of a peaceful election to address the driver of this large–scale migration—the illegitimate rule of Nicolas Maduro—the international community allowed the regime to steal the election and the influx of forced migrants from that country continues.
Another major source of migration can be found in Russia's unlawful invasion of Ukraine. In 2025, Ukrainian refugee numbers in Europe were at 6.8 million. A just and secure peace agreement will be needed before many of these refugees, largely women and children, can return to Ukraine. The matter of Ukrainian refugees will not be resolved until a safe environment is established.
Voters in 2024 charged new governments worldwide with addressing irregular migration. States must work to align policies across government to address the challenges of modern day migration. This holistic approach is not just a suggestion, but a necessity in the face of such a complex issue.
