ABSTRACT
Geographical location certainly constitutes a factor that creates preconditions for immigration control. A territorial position directly bordering sending areas does increase the likelihood of being affected. There is, however, no mechanical relationship between geographical location and inflow intensity. The way in which geography becomes relevant depends on a number of other variables. History of immigration is important in two major ways. Firstly, tradition in terms of streams from particular areas or countries that have created migration 'bridges', do have a tendency to nurture itself. Migration control is exercised at different points along the migration route, which starts at the origin, goes through possible transit stations and leads to entry, settlement and possible naturalization in a destination country. The immigration policies of our case countries were for a long time ad hoc, reactive, short term and pragmatic.
