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Choosing Unauthorized Migration: Evidence from Return Migrants

Document Cited in Related
Date01 August 2018
AuthorMajlinda Nesturi,Didier Ruedin
Published date01 August 2018
DOIhttp://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12461
Choosing Unauthorized Migration: Evidence
from Return Migrants
Didier Ruedin*
,
*** and Majlinda Nesturi**
,
****
ABSTRACT
We assess who among migrants is likely to choose unauthorized migration. While the litera-
ture has addressed reasons for unauthorized migration, we are the f‌irst to model individual
choice of actual unauthorized migration. By using data from Albanian return migrants, we can
ascertain that we capture actual migration –behaviour –rather than intentions to migrate, and
respondents have no incentives to hide unauthorized migration as there are no consequences at
this stage. At the individual level, unauthorized migration in a context of circular migration is
linked to being young and male –interpreted as risk-taking individuals –and being free of
social responsibilities like having a partner or children. Social responsibilities appear to moder-
ate the impact of risk-taking on choosing unauthorized migration.
INTRODUCTION
Migration has become a major issue for many countries in the world, affecting countries of both
origin and destination in profound ways. The crossing of borders and residence in the destination
country may be formally registered and in accordance with current rules and regulations like having
a valid work permit. By contrast, some individuals migrate outside these formal channels –some-
thing often referred to as unauthorized or undocumented migration to highlight the lack of adequate
documents (Heckmann, 2004; Hanson, 2007). Several studies have examined why unauthorized
migration can and does occur (e.g. Vickstrom, 2014; Borodak and Tichit, 2014; Massey et al.
2016). They highlight labour demand in the country of destination, migrant networks, and that bor-
der enforcement has little impact on the overall f‌low of migration. Other studies have examined the
nature of unauthorized migration –most frequently from the perspective of destination countries
(e.g. Bloch, 2010; Triandafyllidou, 2012). These studies highlight the precarious situation of unau-
thorized migrants and that they are at the same time “welcomed”for their economic contributions,
especially in the informal economy. Yet little is known about who among migrants chooses unau-
thorized entry rather than a channel sanctioned by the country of destination. We use data on Alba-
nian return migrants to identify individual characteristics associated with actual unauthorized
migration in a context characterized by circular migration.
For a full understanding of migratory patterns it is essential to understand motivations for and
processes of migration. In sending countries like Albania, internal and international migration have
a profound impact on marriage behaviour, fertility, the ageing of society, and the labour market
* University of Neuch^
atel
** Charles University in Prague
*** University of the Witwatersrand
**** INSTAT
doi: 10.1111/imig.12461
©2018 The Authors
International Migration ©2018 IOM
International Migration Vol. 56 (4) 2018
ISSN 0020-7985Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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