Research Proposal: The Impact of EU Migration Policies on African Countries

The Impact of EU Migration Policies on African Countries

The European Union (EU) has established definitive migration objectives that have consistently been reinforced through migration policy (Reslow, 2012). Even though the EU continues to work to improve migration policies, Reslow contends that this is often done without a clear understanding of how policies impact nations with citizens seeking to migrate.

Deficiencies in knowledge with regard to the impact of migration policies on other nations limit the ability of officials within the European Union to change, alter, and improve migration policies (Reslow, 2012). Thus, without efforts to examine the impact of EU migration policies on specific countries, the European Union will continue to lack essential knowledge that may be helpful for meeting migration policy objectives (Reslow, 2012).

Statement of the Problem

Based on this insight, it becomes evident that there is a clear impetus to better understand how EU migration policies impact various countries. Access to data regarding the impact of EU migration policies appears to have significant implications for improving these policies and creating a foundation that makes it possible for the European Union to achieve its migration objectives (Reslow, 2012). The case of African countries and the impact of EU migration policies on these entities are of specific concern. As reported by Castles (2009) EU migration policies regarding African nations represent a quagmire of sorts. Specifically, this author argues,

“measures taken by the European Union and its member states are often designed to reduce

[population flows from Africa]—often in the guise of well-meaning development policies” (p.

1).

Purpose of the Research

Based on this s...

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...eying Africans seeking to migrate to the

EU would come directly from the surveys completed by those willing to participate in the study.

Finally, if a quantitative study to evaluate outcomes for migration were utilized to answer the research questions, official data kept by the European Union, member states and African nations would need to be accessed. Specifically, the researcher would need to collect data regarding the number of applications for migration, the number of completed and accepted applications as well

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as the estimated number of undocumented African migrations that occur each year. Obtaining data regarding undocumented migrations may be difficult given the nature of these events and the unwillingness of many to discuss the occurrence. Thus, sources of information for the qualitative study and for the quantitative survey would be much easier to obtain.