The evolution of Malta's policy on irregular migration since joining the EU

Abstract

The last decade of the 20th century was marked by the crisis of irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean Region, from North Africa and the Middle East. Situated on one of the busiest of the irregular migration maritime highways, the central Mediterranean route, Malta is highly sensitive to the flow of irregular migration due to its small-size land and high population density. These two factors are the reasons why Malta makes a big effort to push the subject onto the EU agenda. Malta's efforts in addressing the issue of irregular migration needs to be directly backed up by the EU, because a small-state like Malta cannot tackle such a big issue on its own. The aim of this dissertation is to analyse the evolution of irregular migration policies that Malta introduced domestically, as well as initiatives which it has taken to assist the adoption or changing of policies at the EU level, since its accession. This is done by giving a closer look to five specific variables: (i) Family Reunification; (ii) Detention policy; (iii) A humane and effective return and readmission policy; (iv) Burden-sharing; and (v) Anti-discrimination and integration.