How is irregularised migration framed at the EU level by the European Commission, the European Parliament, and EU civil society? Through a comparative analysis, this report examines the narratives shaping discourse on border control, migration status, rights, and employment, revealing how different actors interpret these themes through distinct lenses. The report explores the ‘discursive construction of irregularity’, i.e., how irregular migration and residence status are problematised, legitimised, or contested, while also addressing related issues such as labour migration, gender, the Covid-19 pandemic, returns, and crisis narratives.
By mapping the differences and points of convergence across institutional and civil society discourse, the report highlights the tensions between securitised, policy-driven, and rights-based approaches. The report demonstrates how these competing narratives shape migration governance at the EU level, reflecting broader institutional, legal, and political dynamics.
This report is part of the I-CLAIM Horizon Europe project.
