Drivers of Illegal International Migration from Iran: The Case of Sardash County

Abstract

Illegal immigration has become a problem of global proportions as it affects a myriad of factors including international relations, security, demographics, social fabric, culture, and economies of origin, transiting, and destination countries.  Although illegal immigration has, for some time, been a problem in some places like Iran's border areas, its prominence as a major type of immigration has only recently emerged, eliciting unprecedented empirical investigations. This study focuses in on Sardasht county as a sui-generis case in Iran to understand the reasons behind this emerging trend. The study employs a qualitative methodology, in-depth interviewing 52 subjects, and identifies the existence of a range of structures that have both motivational and deterrent effects, albeit the balance of the structures in this case is motivation in Sardasht. The study shows clearly the interplay of structures and agency; they give rise to the concept of survival strategy.