Migration in crisis

How hard is displacement? Displacement affects people’s souls, hearts, belongings, and most of all, physical wellbeing.

This shows the deep sadness of those who try illegal immigration and lose everything. It is not justified to take the irregular migration route for an uncertain life in a foreign country, which does not always guarantee a better life for immigrants.

Working on the ground and listening to stories of human trafficking and smuggling is horrific. Many migrants feel ashamed of returning empty-handed and guilty for putting their families through emotional and financial strain. Families left behind suffer from the anxiety of not knowing the fate of their loved ones.

The journey for irregular migrants is often quite dangerous, involving risky routes. The death of a migrant can leave widows and orphans without their primary source of financial support. Many families go into significant debt to finance the migration attempt, which they cannot repay if the attempt fails. Plans for education, better housing, or starting a business are often delayed or abandoned.

Further, many shocking and inhumane incidents underscore the brutality of smugglers who exploit the vulnerability of trafficked individuals. For instance, some time back, migrants were found dead in a refrigerated truck after entering the destination country through a smuggling network. It is a precarious journey where migrants face not only natural dangers but also violence from criminal groups.

Even those who survive are often brought back to detention centres where conditions are dire. Last year, irregular migrants faced the most horrendous circumstances. We all remember the incident where a boat with a capacity of 100 was overloaded and set to sail. In the worst-ever incident involving migrants using ‘dunki’ routes, an estimated 800 people died. The sea became a graveyard for refugees and migrants.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes that migration is a “fact of life” and a “force for good”. He emphasizes the need for safer options for millions seeking opportunities abroad to improve their lives. While migrant communities can take advantage of the benefits offered by their host country or society, they must assimilate according to norms and conventions and work towards durable solutions by acquiring legal status in their host country.

Throughout history, migration has significantly impacted the lives of individuals and entire communities. In the biblical story of Moses and the Exodus, the Israelites eventually gained freedom and new opportunities as a result of their migration from Egypt. Similarly, the mass migration of Persians from Iran to India led to substantial religious and financial growth. Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) migration from Makkah to Madinah, followed by the conquest of Makkah, also underscores the profound effects of migration.

In contemporary times, individual migration and immigration continue to drive economic improvement. Moreover, Afghan migrants have recently settled in various countries, leading to new opportunities and better living conditions for many.

Therefore, within national borders, Pakistan needs a plan to educate the youth about the dangers and potential consequences of illegal migration and the benefits of following legal processes. We should encourage young people to develop skills and pursue education and training that can provide sustainable livelihoods in their home country. Most importantly, we need to highlight success stories of fictional superheroes, journalists, Nobel laureates, entrepreneurs, government officials, philanthropists, industrialists, TV news correspondents, and computer scientists who have prospered by working within their home country or through legal migration.

We should advocate for government programmes that create job opportunities and support entrepreneurship to reduce the economic pressures that drive irregular migration. Strengthening community support systems to provide young people with the resources and opportunities they need locally is essential.

Promoting awareness of legal migration opportunities and the benefits of following legal processes is crucial. Without these efforts, new border controls will be highly ineffective for irregular cross-border movements since countries like the UK, EU, Gulf States, and the Americas are moving to digital IDs and strict immigration policies.

The writer is an activist and is

managing a project on migration and reintegration for returnees with a

UK-based non-profit organization.