As rhetoric against immigration increases worldwide, countries are developing new ways to limit new arrivals to their countries. In North Africa and Southern Europe, billions of Euros have been spent to stop migrants from reaching the shores of the EU, which has given rise to the “illegality industry”, a complex system of on security force, aid groups, return programs, and more, each of whom profit from the phenomenon they claim to try and reduce.

Through interviews and participant observation with immigrants, as well as the people and organizations who interact with them, this book finds that in Tunisia, Morocco, Italy, and France, as European states, the EU, and various NGOs offer funds prevent the flow of immigration, more and more money continues to flow without noticeably decreasing illegal immigration to the continent. Additionally, immigrants are far from the faceless villains or destitute victims the media frames them as. They have great agency in navigating the web of a growing and rapidly changing industry.

Currently, we are soliciting donations to fund the fieldwork for our project. If you are interested in donating, click here to access our fundraiser. If you are an individual or organization interested in partnering with us, email us at bordersinmotionproject@gmail.com