Living in the dark : the effect of deportation on failed asylum seekers : a stakeholder’s perspective

Abstract

EU countries have the responsibility to proceed with the deportation of failed asylum seekers as part of an effective migration policy. The Return Directive and other legal statutes offer a legal framework in relation to deportation that obliges Member States to act in a specific manner that ensures a humane and functional return policy. This qualitative research study aims to identify the effects of deportation on failed asylum seekers by gathering the perspective of various stakeholders in the field. Working towards fair and just migration policies is crucial to the profession of social work and imperative to the realisation of human rights. Accordingly, the findings of this study highlight the following themes: Malta’s asylum seeker system and its trends, the vulnerability of failed asylum seekers, the concept of living an underground lifestyle, instability, living in limbo, the effects of detention predeportation, failure and desperation, fear, mental health issues, coping mechanisms and the way forward as presented by the interviewees. This study calls for improvements in respecting human rights throughout the whole process from when asylum seekers apply for protection up until they are safely returned back to their country of origin following a negative decision. Moreover, the study suggests the strengthening of sharing information strategies between authorities and asylum seekers so that the latter are well aware of procedures and legal matters. It encourages the monitoring of deportees upon return to guarantee their safety and dignity. It also urges authorities to provide protection to failed asylum seekers with clear vulnerabilities. Lastly, this study emphasises the importance of high-level training for social work students performing in this sensitive and specialised field.