5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

This panel explores the intricate dynamics of migration policy implementation in the Global South, focusing on how incoherent narratives on policy and migration, local-level exclusion from policy design, and mismatches between policy targets and local realities impact the execution of migration policies. Most migration occurs within the Global South, and the global race for talent has led to increased migration from the Global North to the Global South, meaning that the migration policy implementation there is increasingly important to understand how migration is governed. Multiple stakeholders, including the governments of both home and host countries, their economic structures and legislative frameworks deeply influence migration policy implementation. For countries in the Global South, migration policies are also shaped by terms as they are developed in the Global North. This highlights the need for tailored, context-specific approaches that can address the unique challenges faced when implementing migration policy in the Global South.

In light of this, the panel invites papers focusing on specific countries in the Global South to explore implementation challenges of migration policies. Case studies from these countries will illustrate diverse experiences and common obstacles encountered during migration policy implementation. These papers will provide detailed analyses and offer local perspectives to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of migration governance. Such contributions are essential to develop a more effective approach to migration governance that addresses country-specific dynamics beyond frameworks tailored to the Global North.