Immigration Nation: Aid, Control, and Border Politics in Morocco

Countries in the Global North have restricted migration policies and used development aid as a central tool to control migration. This book by Lorena Gazzotti shows that aid marks the rise of a different mode of migration containment, where power works beyond fast violence and its disciplinary potential is augmented by its elusiveness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Over the past forty years, countries in the Global North have significantly tightened their migration policies in an effort to curb the influx of migrants. As part of this strategy, development aid has emerged as a crucial tool in the migration control endeavors of European countries and the US. Donors, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become prominent actors in this realm. In her book, Lorena Gazzotti argues that migration control extends beyond physical barriers and deportation. Drawing from extensive research in Morocco, Gazzotti demonstrates that aid plays a pivotal role in the emergence of a distinct mode of migration containment. This approach operates beyond immediate violence and leverages its elusive nature to enhance its disciplinary potential. Existing studies on border externalization have often essentialized donors, international organizations, and NGOs, portraying countries of origin and transit as passive subcontractors, while border control is presented as a tidy and effective intervention. However, this nuanced study challenges these assumptions by revealing that bordering occurs in everyday, mundane ways, far removed from the spectacle of border violence.

Gazzotti's research highlights that aid is not merely a passive tool in migration control but rather a means to exert power and shape migration patterns. By providing resources and support, countries in the Global North can influence the decisions of migrants, whether they choose to migrate or not. This power dynamic extends beyond the physical borders of countries and encompasses the social, economic, and political aspects of migration.

One of the key findings of Gazzotti's book is that aid marks the rise of a new form of migration governance. In this model, power is distributed across multiple actors, including donors, international organizations, and NGOs. Countries of origin and transit are no longer seen as mere subcontractors but rather as active participants in the migration control process. This shift in power relations has significant implications for the lives of migrants, as they are now subjected to a range of policies and regulations that are beyond their control.

Gazzotti's research also sheds light on the ways in which aid contributes to the disciplining of migrants. By providing resources and support, countries in the Global North can exert control over the movements and behavior of migrants, ensuring that they adhere to their migration policies. This control can take the form of surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement measures, which can have severe consequences for migrants who violate these policies.

Furthermore, Gazzotti's book highlights the role of border externalization in migration control. In this approach, countries outsource their border control responsibilities to external actors, such as donors, international organizations, and NGOs. This allows countries to avoid the costs and complexities associated with managing their borders, while also delegating the responsibility for managing migration to external entities.

However, Gazzotti's study also raises concerns about the unintended consequences of border externalization. By delegating border control to external actors, countries may lose control over the policies and practices that are implemented on their borders. This can lead to the exploitation and abuse of migrants, as well as the violation of their human rights.

In conclusion, Lorena Gazzotti's book provides a valuable contribution to the study of migration control. By challenging the assumptions that underpin existing studies on border externalization, Gazzotti reveals that migration control is not solely a matter of physical barriers and deportation. Instead, aid plays a pivotal human rights. By examining the role of aid in migration control, Gazzotti sheds light on the complex power dynamics that shape migration patterns and the ways in which these dynamics are experienced by migrants. This book is essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and activists who are interested in understanding the complexities of migration control and the urgent need for more nuanced and empathetic approaches to addressing this global issue.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 236 x 159 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316519707