Changing political landscapes

This chapter describes how, in the post-World War II era, modern transportation and an increasingly globalised world created new opportunities for irregular migration, while also raising complex legal, political, and ethical questions - particularly concerning politically motivated criminal aliens. Against the backdrop of Cold War tensions, lawmakers and legal experts grappled with the question of whether hijackings should be classified primarily as criminal offences or political acts. The answer to this question impacted whether hijackers would be prosecuted, whether they might be granted residence permits, and - finally - whether they would end up in limbo.