In modern times, migration has seldom been anything if not a contentious issue, with political discourse reflecting often conflicting values on the topic. Indeed, it has often been left to religious groups, local authorities, and civil society organizations to adopt a more liberal attitude, with politicians squabbling to appear tougher than each other.

Research from the University of Innsbruck highlights the moral nature of many of these debates, with often harsh regulations introduced by policymakers met by public protest, especially when concerning asylum seekers and refugees.

Moral conflict

The study examines the moral conflicts around migration in both the United States and Europe, and in particular, the granting of various forms of sanctuary to those affected. The study also involves an analysis of the various organizations that rescue refugees trying to cross both the Mediterranean and the desert between Mexico and the United States.

“With their active protests, all of these groups are taking a moral and political stance against the immigration and asylum policies of various countries,” the authors explain. “In some cases, they enter into direct confrontation with the state, as for example when NGOs show resistance to various coercive measures taken by the authorities against rescue ships in the Mediterranean.”

The researchers explain that most of the organizations operating rescue services tend to pursue grassroots migration policies in the name of humanity and human rights, they’re often not effectively considered in migration policy or literature.

“So far, migration research has mainly dealt with security interests or economic interests, but not with ethical values,” the researchers explain.

In the literature on morality politics, areas such as religion tend to be far more effectively taken into account when discussing issues such as women’s rights, same-sex marriage, and abortion. These are all areas where religion typically takes a distinctly conservative stance.

The fact that a more liberal stance is typically taken by religious actors in migration policy is unique and not effectively examined, despite both cases typically being driven by traditional values such as respect for human life and dignity.

“With the new focus on the role of values, we have a contribution to make to both migration research and research on morality politics,” the authors conclude.