Exclusion as Default: The legal and policy dynamics around the production of irregular migration in the Netherlands

This talk explores the factors shaping irregular conditions for migrants at the intersection of migration, employment, and welfare in the Netherlands. Based on 25 years of policy analysis, five expert interviews, and NGO case studies, it highlights the complexities of irregular migration governance. Focusing on work, healthcare, housing, juridical aid, and financial services, the talk shows how the Dutch welfare state has been turned into a migration control tool, normalizing exclusion to the point that denying irregular migrants access has become default. This normalization creates further layers of exclusion, compounding vulnerabilities. The Dutch trend reflects broader neoliberal shifts in welfare, marginalizing irregular migrants and complicating access to essential services and protections, ultimately increasing risks of exploitation.