Deterrence and the criminalisation of irregular migration
Dr Matilde Rosina, Lecturer in International Relations at Brunel University London and Visiting Fellow at LSE.
Notes & Changes
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Abstract
In Europe and beyond, deterrence-based policies are increasingly used as a response to irregular migration. But how effective are these measures in meeting their stated goals? And what unintended, potentially counterproductive consequences do they generate — both for receiving societies and for migrants themselves?
This talk examines deterrence policies in the field of migration, with a focus on the introduction of the “crime of migration” — the so-called “criminalisation of migration”. It explores the rationale behind this policy choice, its practical implementation, and its broader implications. By assessing both the intended and unintended outcomes, the talk seeks to shed light on whether deterrence and criminalisation achieve their objectives or, paradoxically, deepen the very challenges they aim to resolve.
Bio
Dr Matilde Rosina is Lecturer in International Relations at Brunel University London and Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics. An expert on the politics and policies of international migration, Matilde obtained her PhD from King's College London, winning the King's Outstanding Thesis Prize. Her research has been featured in leading journals including the Journal of Common Market Studies, Policy Studies, and Mediterranean Politics. She is the author of 'The Migration Question' (Oxford University Press & Hurst, 2025, with Talani)', and 'The criminalisation of irregular migration in Europe' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022).