Undesirable and Unreturnable Migrants: Policy challenges around excluded asylum seekers and other migrants suspected of serious criminality who cannot be removed. Conference report and policy brief

Migrants who are undesirable because of alleged involvement in serious criminality but unreturnable because of legal or practical reasons may present decision makers, policy makers and the responsible politicians with significant challenges. While there are different short-term policy responses to the issue, a considerable group of these individuals will always remain in legal limbo, sometimes for many years. A coherent solution is currently lacking, as is guidance on how to deal with this group of persons. Building upon two network meetings with academics and practitioners, this document defines the problem, describes current state responses and explores possibilities of future policy solutions.