Policing Migration in NSW: An Analysis of Onshore Migration Policing Networks

Abstract

To date, much migration-related research, commentary, activism, parliamentary debate and media coverage has been concerned with Australia's extensive offshore border protection activities. Indeed, most public and scholarly debate about immigration in Australia has concentrated on unauthorised arrivals of asylum seekers by sea. In contrast, this research project directs its attention to the operation of Australia's less visible internal borders. The aim is to provide a systematic account of the everyday enforcement of immigration controls within Australian borders, concentrating on New South Wales, the state in which the majority of detections of 'unlawful non citizens' (i.e. non-citizens present in Australia without a valid visa) occur. ... The present study focuses on the means by which 'unlawful non citizens' come to the notice of immigration authorities. It examines the structure, dynamics and normative implications of onshore migration policing networks aimed at detecting and apprehending 'unlawful non citizens'.