Forum on Migration

From the U.S. to the U.K., governments in the Global North have developed increasingly elaborate techniques for denying sanctuary to asylum seekers. Fearing economic decline, cultural upheaval, and threats to national security, more and more rich, democratic countries resort to draconian policies to limit who can cross their borders. Sociologist David FitzGerald (UC San Diego) uncovers how these governments manage to comply with the letter of immigration law while violating its spirit, and suggests ways in which asylum seekers can nevertheless fight to protect their universal rights.