Send them ‘home’

The final part of the book synthesises and organises the diverse ways in which states have thus far responded to the issue of undesirable but unremovable migrants. This chapter examines policy responses to realise return to the country of origin. Host countries can take pre-emptive action to prevent ending up with an undesirable but unremovable migrant. They can also choose to actively disregard their obligations under international law, for instance by deporting an undesirable but unremovable migrant even if the person is at risk of maltreatment. Options that are less likely to strain diplomatic relations are obtaining diplomatic assurances to meet their international obligations or improving relations with the country of origin to increase its willingness to accept its citizen. Finally, host countries can provide assistance to the individual to compel them to return.