ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the multifarious policy implications of irregular migration. First, it investigates irregular migration and policy gaps, namely discursive, implementation, and efficacy gaps, with relevant illustrations from the Italian and Australian policies. Second, it outlines a range of existing (and partially overlapping) policy alternatives, namely (i) de facto open borders, (ii) de jure open borders, (iii) de jure closed borders, (iv) regional solutions with destination countries, (v) regional solutions with transit countries, and (vi) legal pathways. Third, it revisits the idea of offshore/extraterritorial processing of asylum claims. Specifically, it recounts the origin of this policy, the many instances in which it has been implemented, advocated, and/or criticised, and it reconsiders its potential execution in the light of several key developments. In doing so, it argues that its implementation could help to secure the international asylum regime and might prevent other vague and dangerous policies, but only if it explicitly addresses a number of strict legal requirements. Fourth, it discusses two policy conundrums deriving from the current state of things. Lastly, it considers the degree of external applicability of this book’s findings to relevant states and institutions, both European and non-European.
