Story perspectives

Migration Crackdowns Boost Smugglers, Study Reveals

12/5/2025

47 5

Summary

Story summary

Hardline migration policies worldwide are inadvertently benefiting people smugglers, per the Mixed Migration Centre.
The study draws on more than 80,000 interviews with migrants and smugglers.
It finds 57% of smugglers raised fees due to increased policy risks.
Only 6% of migrants cited smugglers as influencing their decision, with the rest migrating independently.
Researchers say restricting legal migration pathways pushes people toward smugglers, reinforcing their networks.

1 of 1

Story summary

Hardline migration policies worldwide are inadvertently benefiting people smugglers, per the Mixed Migration Centre.
The study draws on more than 80,000 interviews with migrants and smugglers.
It finds 57% of smugglers raised fees due to increased policy risks.
Only 6% of migrants cited smugglers as influencing their decision, with the rest migrating independently.
Researchers say restricting legal migration pathways pushes people toward smugglers, reinforcing their networks.