A Descriptive Analysis on Political Motivation for Illegal Migration in Post War Period (A Case Study on Illegal Immigration to Australia)

Abstract

Illegal migration is a growing trend everywhere in the world than ever before. Migration takes place from one place to another for the different purposes. Illegal immigration can be occurred in various circumstances. Illegal migration is the main sub field of migration. Thus A non-citizen who enters a country without legal documents is considered as illegal immigrant. Illegal immigration is inspired by several factors through which political factor is playing a key role to encourage such illegal entrance to Australia. Political factor is inevitable in this sense it has been an influential factor last few years to motivate illegal immigration. Hereby Political turmoil can be a leading factor which complicates whole system of governance. Presently Sri Lanka has become a premier and ideal state for discussion about illegal immigration. In this study main objective is to explore political factors caused to Sri Lankans’ immigration to Australia. Research question in this study is why people migrate to Australia through illegal means. In order to answer this question, the qualitative methodology was applied. Other than the secondary data collected from written sources, 10 case studies migrants who migrated illegally to Australia were undertaken where the in depth interviews were done by using open ended and unstructured questions. Data was analyzed by applying discourse analysis and phenomenological data analysis tools. In-depth interviews were carried out for getting information about illegal migration. Southern province and Northern Province have been selected as a research area, because these specific areas are higher illegal immigration to Australia than other provinces. With using purposive sampling method 10 of people are selected as the research sample that arrested by Sri Lankan Navy. Finding of this study are as following changing regime, lack of performance of government in the particular areas, inequality of political opportunities, dissatisfaction on government’s activities, political interference, and fear of political revenge have been main political causes for illegal immigration to Australia. In order to controlling such illegal immigration both counties should work together for discouragement of people those who attempt to migrate Australia through illegal means