ABSTRACT
International migration might be expected to grow in the future because of several factors, such as population increase, poverty, structurally caused un-and underemployment, political conflicts or ecological factors. Migration within Africa, for example, has been extensive, particularly as ethnic groups are dispersed over the political borders, and cross-border commuting may be an important alternative to long distance South to North migration. International migration is often regarded as a carrier of potential conflicts and security risks affecting ethnic and social relations, and in the end, economic and political stability in the countries of immigration. A number of different research strategies are used in the study of international migration, as in social science disciplines in general. The distinction between international and internal migration may be regarded as formal and legalistic, but it has an impact of great significance on the relations between individual migrants and the states on both sides of the border, as well as between these states.
