Main Area

Main

Irregular migration

Italian coast guard rescues migrants on their way to Italy | Photo: Francesco Malavolta | IOM, 2014

Migrants sometimes try to enter or stay in the European Union (EU) without valid documents. These irregular migrants violate the immigration laws and regulations of the country of destination.

Irregular migrants do not have valid documents to enter or stay in a country. For example, when a person does not have a valid passport or travel document, or uses false documents. EU Member States avoid terms such as 'illegal migration' and "illegal migrants' because they imply a criminal phenomenon. Irregular migration is an administrative violation and not a criminal act.

EMN Study | Detention

Study: Detention and alternatives to detention

Update including benchmark EMN Netherlands, 14 July 2022
EMN study in EU Member States on (alternatives to) immigrant detention in international protection and return procedures. The study identifies similarities, differences, practical challenges, and best practices in the Member States.