Regulating Migration

Though the prevailing view holds that migration has been a positive force in both countries of origin and of destination, unregulated migration can involve social, financial and political costs for the individuals, society and governments alike. Comprehensive, transparent and coherent approaches to migration management can help address irregular migration, including migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, minimize the negative impact of migration and preserve its integrity as a natural social process. Good governance in migration matters at national, regional and international levels is increasingly recognized as key to ensure orderly and humane population movements.

IOM assists governments in the development and implementation of migration policy, legislation and administrative mechanisms that enhance migration management, while also assisting migrants in ways that meet their protection needs and that are gender- and age-sensitive and empowering.

IOM provides technical assistance and training to government migration managers to improve migration management operations systems. These may cover travel documents and their issuance systems, data systems related to migration, and border management technologies, including biometrics. IOM also implements programmes to facilitate the voluntary return of unsuccessful asylum seekers, stranded persons and other migrants, and their reintegration in countries of origin, taking into account the needs and concerns of local communities. Furthermore, IOM takes a rights-based approach to implementing a wide range of activities in support of the victims of trafficking in persons, both through direct assistance and through NGOs and government agencies.

The projects and programmes under Regulating Migration are classified as follows: