What's Happening?
Dr. Agnieszka Radziwinowiczówna, a lecturer at the Centre of Migration Research at the University of Warsaw, has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant for her project, 'Redefining the concept of the deportation regime: Deportations to dangerous countries
re-legitimised' (REDIRECT). The project, starting in February 2027 and running until January 2032, will investigate why deportations to countries previously deemed too dangerous due to wars or other threats are once again becoming politically acceptable. The research will analyze this phenomenon across legal, political, discursive, and social dimensions, focusing on Poland, Germany, and the United States, and specifically examining deportations to Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela. The project aims to challenge the notion that deportation solely strengthens state sovereignty, proposing instead a transnational and multi-level process influenced by relationships between states, institutions, and other actors.
Why It's Important?
This research is significant because it delves into a complex and often controversial aspect of international migration policy: the resumption of deportations to countries where returnees may face substantial risks. The inclusion of the U.S. and its deportations to Venezuela highlights a critical area of concern for human rights and international law. By examining the legal, political, and social factors that re-legitimize such deportations, the project will shed light on how states navigate their sovereign authority in an interconnected world. The findings could influence policy debates, advocacy efforts, and legal challenges related to deportation practices, particularly concerning the protection of vulnerable individuals. Understanding the discursive and social dimensions will also reveal how public opinion and political narratives are shaped around these sensitive issues, impacting the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers globally.
What's Next?
The REDIRECT project will commence in February 2027, with researchers conducting comparative studies in Poland, Germany, and the United States. The methodology will include statistical data analysis, examination of legal and archival documents, and analysis of political and media materials. In-depth interviews will be conducted with representatives of institutions involved in the deportation process, as well as with individuals at risk of deportation, often in collaboration with migrant organizations. Public opinion surveys in the three focus countries will also be a key component. The project's findings, expected by January 2032, will aim to reconstruct the processes leading to the re-legitimization of deportations and identify the facilitating factors, including shifts in attitudes towards human rights and the rise of populism. This research could inform future international guidelines and national policies on deportation.
Beyond the Headlines
The re-legitimization of deportations to dangerous countries raises profound ethical and humanitarian questions. The project's focus on the U.S. and Venezuela, alongside other cases, underscores the tension between national sovereignty and international human rights obligations. The research will explore how states justify these actions, potentially revealing the influence of political expediency, security concerns, and public sentiment over humanitarian considerations. This phenomenon could contribute to a global trend of increasingly restrictive immigration policies, potentially eroding protections for refugees and asylum seekers. The project's emphasis on the 'detention economy' and the blurring lines between criminal enterprise and migration enforcement, as seen in other contexts, suggests a broader systemic issue where vulnerable individuals become commodities. The findings could challenge conventional understandings of state power and accountability in the context of forced returns, prompting a re-evaluation of international cooperation and human rights safeguards.
