ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the security implications of the irregular migration phenomenon, with relevant insights from the Italian and Australian case studies. First, it explores migrants’ insecurity throughout the whole process, not only before and during their dangerous voyages but also when if they reach their destination. To that end, the seven facets of the human security lens are employed, prior to assessing how states’ policies on irregular migration affect different types of migrants in different ways. Second, it probes into destination countries’ perspectives, an endeavour that is rarely pursued in conjunction with migrants’ viewpoints and therefore a valuable contribution made by this chapter. Specifically, it investigates states’ concerns in terms of border and national security prerogatives, terrorism and crime (including key misconceptions), and societal and economic issues, all of which lead to the securitisation of migration, deterrence, and specific foreign policy measures. In conclusion, an inverse relationship between states’ and migrants’ security is highlighted, whose policy implications and potential alternatives are discussed in the book’s following chapter.
