Migration governance: The case of Afghans

Turkey, due to its geographical location and the internal turmoil and conflicts in its vicinity, possesses the characteristic of being a country that both receives and sends migrants. Being strategically positioned as a bridge between the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa, Turkey has become an attractive transit route, particularly for migrants from Asia aiming to reach Europe. This situation has led Turkey to host various migrant groups, with Afghan refugees constituting a significant part of these migration waves. Although there is general information available about Afghan citizens living as refugees throughout Turkey, the lack of research on migration governance makes this a crucial topic in the literature. In this thesis, the concept of migration is initially defined, and an attempt is made to explain the historical development of migration and its political, economic, and social reasons. Subsequently, the relatively recent concept of migration governance is discussed, focusing on the actors influencing migration management in Turkey. Lastly, the legal statuses, economic conditions, and social situations of Afghan migrants in Turkey are analyzed within the context of migration governance, drawing on relevant literature. Keywords: Migration, Migration Policies, Migration Governance, Afghans