Challenges of Combating Illegal Immigration as Cross Border Crime Among Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Member States: Case Study of Zambia

Abstract

The phenomenon of Illegal immigration has become an increasing source of concern Worldwide, though they may be of benefit to either the sending or receiving country. Most SADC member states were grappling with illegal immigration. The three (3) years case study research established that cases of illegal immigrants in Zambia were the order of the day; either dozens or more were being intercepted and arrested whichever at border when entering the country without valid travel documents or staying in the country without required documents. It is in back drop that prompted a supposition that SADC states in the case of Zambia has challenges to combat the influx of illegal immigrants. Based on 36 months case study methodology research, this article aim to analyze the challenges SADC states (Zambia) were encountering in combating illegal immigration. The study established severe challenges which included; long stretch of borders to which some were porous; lack of political will; lack of manpower for immigration officers; absence of migration policy; bribery/corruption; inadequate sensitization and lack of skill. The article is built on the primary and secondary data collected from 37 respondents and literature. Purposive, Cluster, Snowball and random sampling were used to select respondents to whom the method of semi-structured, in-depth interviews and observation was administered. Meanwhile, thematic analysis was employed for both primary and secondary data. The study recommended that the combating of the phenomenon calls for holistic approach.

Keywords: Illegal immigration, SADC, Zambia, Globalization, Cross border Crime, Cosmopolitanism and Communitarianism.

DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/74-02

Publication date:July 31^st 2019