The human smuggling industry : nuances and complexities

Abstract

Despite the popular depiction as immoral and deceitful villain who do not hesitate to toss human beings in the sea or abandon them under the scorching desert sun, human smugglers’ services seem to be in high demand lately. Little is known about how human smugglers operate and the reasons that push millions to rely on their services. Scholarly and mainstream understanding of human smuggling is often plagued with fragmented perspectives on the socio-cultural dynamics of the migratory journey, the facilitator-traveler relationship and their community dimensions. A truly effective answer to human smuggling requires a better understanding of the phenomenon. Based on data collected during extensive ethnographic research conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean route and the Central American corridor, this paper aims to provide a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of human smuggling and the actors involved.