Clandestino: counting the uncountable: data and trends across Europe: irregular migration in the U.K.

In the UK, the term ‘irregular migration’ tends to refer to people that are seen as having entered the country illegally. In a wider discursive context, other terms are commonly used such as: ‘unlawful’, ‘unauthorised’, ‘undocumented’. Definitional problems are just one part of this complex phenomenon, that is hard to pin down in terms of its scope, nature, surrounding discourses and state responses. This project forms part of a larger study that analyses irregular migration in 12 EU and 3 non-EU (transit) countries and responds to the need for further clarification of this complicated and difficult issue. First, it has critically explored sources of data and estimates of irregular migration and, in particular, the validity and reliability of the data and methods used in their production. Second, it analysed pathways into irregularity, such as the reasons for, and ways in which, migrants become irregular. Third, it analysed policies and discourses (‘number games’) on irregular migration and addresses certain misconceptions. Finally, it has developed ethical guidelines for the research of irregular migration.