ABSTRACT

Irregular migration remains a pressing issue, driven by a complex interplay of social, economic, and institutional factors that compel individuals to seek opportunities abroad through nonregular channels. This study investigates the determinants and dynamics of irregular migration, utilizing a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive analysis. The quantitative data was obtained from a total of 600 respondents from whom data were collected through a questionnaire, measuring the following characteristics; age, education level, employment status, marital status, economic opportunities, social influence, psychological health and the cost of migration. These variables underwent ordered logistic regression in order to estimates the likelihood ratios for the irregulate migration in accordance to the predictors. Subsequently, qualitative data was accumulated through interviews with FIA officials: the Director, selected inspectors and other personnel concerned with the Institution, in order to identify problems and coping mechanisms within the context of the services examined. Qualitative analysis of interviews with participants confirmed quantitative results concerning the lack of cooperation and interdisciplinary information exchange, insufficient funding for programmes for victims, and improper legislation. SPPS analysis revealed that better economic opportunities’ perception, quantified social support, and lower education level point to greater inclination for irregular migration, but high costs and stable employment dissuade-quantified pull and push factors. Respondents, with high levels of unemployment, stressed on the economic factors that propelled people into cross border irregularity. The qualitative data helped to go further into the details, showing that irregular migration worse due to institutional weaknesses in legislation and organizations. Respondents often used words suggestive of a lack of adequate legal framework and resources, with one FIA inspector summarising the problem thus, ‘‘Limited resources and manpower significantly hamper our efforts’’. Director of FIA in the country therefore calls for adequate legal provisions, enough resources and effective cooperation between agencies concerned with migration management. The implications are that social networks are the key to purchase and insights into the migrants’ decision highlight the need to consider both microlevel push and pull factors and macrolevel structural constraints. Proactive policy measures, better collaboration, and ongoing amendments and modifiations in legislation are required in order to prevent irregular migration and promote institutional management. The current study enriches the literature by presenting the findings from the Pakistan context, so that it is evident that to combat the irregular migration, both the individual factors motivating migrants and the systematic barriers that enable them must be taken into consideration.