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Migrants at Sea: Unintended Consequences of Search and Rescue Operations

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  • Mastrobuoni, Giovanni
  • Deiana, Claudio
  • Maheshri, Vikram

Abstract

The Central Mediterranean Sea is the world's most dangerous crossing for irregular migrants. In response to mounting deaths, European nations intensified search and rescue operations in 2013. We develop a model of irregular migration to identify the effects of these operations. Leveraging exogenous variation from rapidly varying crossing conditions, we find that smugglers responded by sending boats in adverse weather and shifting from seaworthy boats to flimsy rafts. In doing so, these operations induced more crossings in dangerous conditions, ultimately offsetting their intended safety benefits. A more successful policy should restrict the supply of rafts, expanding legal alternatives migration.

Suggested Citation

  • Mastrobuoni, Giovanni & Deiana, Claudio & Maheshri, Vikram, 2021. "Migrants at Sea: Unintended Consequences of Search and Rescue Operations," CEPR Discussion Papers 16173, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16173
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Central mediterranean; Sea crossings; International migration; Undocumented migration; Search and rescue operations; Rubber boats; Smugglers; Migrants; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • K37 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Immigration Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management

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