Press release: Beyond deportations

An international research project involving the University of Göttingen found that deportation policies are ineffective and that regularization can offer a more effective way to manage migration. The researchers compared policies and practices in eight European countries.

Research project highlights dignified and effective alternatives to EU repatriation policy

In June 2026, the European Union adopted a new Return Regulation. An international research project involving the University of Göttingen has now demonstrated, through a comparison of eight European countries, the ineffectiveness of deportation policies. At the same time, the authors identify that regularization – meaning granting legal rights and secure status – is a more effective alternative for managing migration flows. The findings were published in a Policy Brief.

The researchers compared situations in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. They were able to demonstrate that, contrary to the public debate around a tougher deportation policy, local authorities and communities in these countries have been prioritising integration to benefit communities rather than focussing on forced return. In many countries, there are regulations governing the right to remain that offer migrants a way out of legal uncertainty and unclear status. The authors emphasize that measures geared towards forcefully returning people often do not result in actual deportations. Rather, these measures lead to social exclusion and, in effect, cause poverty, insecurity and a lack of prospects. These consequences adversely affect both the mental and physical health of those affected, as well as impacting cohesion within society, because they exacerbate homelessness, drug addiction and poverty. However, for the right to remain to be effective, it must be linked to measures for social stability. In many cities, it is initiatives led by local citizens that enable access to fundamental rights, whilst seeking to limit policies to send people back.

“Our study shows that local authorities in particular – who are experiencing the negative effects of a totally inefficient return policy – are seeking accessible and practical solutions to enable migrants to live in dignity,” explains project leader Professor Sabine Hess at Göttingen University’s Institute of Cultural Anthropology / European Ethnology. “The findings make it clear that programmes to improve and standardise the current right-to-stay regulations must be expanded and that projects involving citizens and supporting migrants require secure funding,” says Hess, summarising the findings for policymakers.

Further information and Policy Brief: Schurade, S, et al (2026) “WP7: Exploration and Analysis of Further Public and Civic Alternatives to RR: Case Studies at Multiple Levels. Executive

Summary”. MORE Project. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21794480

Policy Brief also available here: www.moreproject-horizon.eu/sdc_download/1625/?key=e0ep154g0ew5knbkrmoi0o7bhzlnsq

Contact:

Professor Sabine Hess

University of Göttingen

Faculty of Humanities

Institute of Cultural Anthropology / European Ethnology

37073 Göttingen, Germany

Tel: +49 (0)551 39-25349

Email: [email protected]

www.uni-goettingen.de/en/208718.html