ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that only part of the reality of immigration politics which has to do with states desire to maintain control over politically and socially contested forms of immigration. A look at states' approach towards desired forms of economic migration shows a very different picture and confirms the emergence and consolidation of supranational regulatory structures at both the regional and global level which, rather than enhancing immigration control, aim at the liberalization of labor mobility. The restructuring of the global economy and the emergence of the competition state impact in several ways on international migration and generally enhances both the demand and supply for foreign labor at all levels of skills. In addition to liberalization in the framework of regional and multilateral trade agreements, the mobility of skilled professionals is also an area where the first instances of private transnational regulatory authority have developed. The vast majority of entries cover only key personnel and highly skilled professionals.
