Facilitating the arrival of illegal immigrants in the Netherlands: Irregular chain migration versus smuggling chains

Abstract

What role do human smuggling organizations play in facilitating the arrival of (illegal) immigrants in the Netherlands and their further incorporation into Dutch society? Based on empirical research among 325 illegal immigrants living in the Netherlands, the question of how illegal immigrants succeeded in scaling the walls of the European Union and settling in the Netherlands is addressed. Answering this question clarifies not only the role of human smuggling organizations but also that of loyal relatives living in the Netherlands for the continuation of the irregular migration process.