voluntary return

The terms are used in slightly different contexts and can refer to:

• The voluntary return of asylum seekers who no longer wish to wait for a decision on their asylum application or otherwise changed their mind and want to go back to their country of origin.
• Destitute migrants, such as the homeless, who cannot afford the journey back home. Some homelessness charities provide funding for these journeys.
• The "voluntary" return of rejected asylum seekers or irregular migrants to their countries of origin. Leaving voluntarily in such case may be fairly euphemistic, as the alternative is often immigration detention and eventual deportation.
• The most preferred of the UNHCR's three durable solutions for refugees is return, because it is what most refugees seek.[http://www.unhcr.org/449aa7c92.pdf Voluntary Repatriation], UNHCR Once the reasons for displacement or fleeing have been resolved and it is once again safe to live in the country of origin, refugees are free to return to their country of origin. Returnees remain a concern to the UNHCR and as such are under its legal protection. The UNHCR monitors returnee operations and provides support for the returnees even after their arrival and return to in their countries of origin.

Some voluntary return programs offer assisted voluntary return (AVR) and some voluntary return is spontaneous and independent without assistance.

The concept of voluntary repatriation was first developed in the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. It was agreed that:

:"The sending state, in collaboration with the receiving state, must make adequate arrangements for the safe return of refugees who request repatriation, while the country of origin must facilitate their resettlement and grant them the full rights and privileges of nationals of the country, and subject them to the same obligations."{{Cite web |url=http://lawjournal.mcgill.ca/userfiles/other/5818395-581.art.Sharpe.pdf |title=THE 1969 AFRICAN REFUGEE CONVENTION: INNOVATIONS, MISCONCEPTIONS, AND OMISSIONS |access-date=2017-01-22 |archive-date=2017-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329124345/http://lawjournal.mcgill.ca/userfiles/other/5818395-581.art.Sharpe.pdf |url-status=dead }}

• The UNHCR and the hosting countries usually encourage refugees to return voluntarily. The 1969 Refugee Convention stipulates that the countries of origin should facilitate repatriation, by using the media as well as Organisation of African Unity, in order to invite refugees to return . In turn, the host countries are expected to disseminate such information and ensure it is received. However, reports of the improved stability and circumstances in the country of origin may be exaggerated, blurred or untrue and refugees may be encouraged to return before the dangers have fully removed.
• As refugees are protected from deportation (or refoulement) by the 1951 Refugee Convention, some countries may pressure them to leave by gradually decreasing refugees' standard of living, as well as running propaganda campaigns to agitate the host population against them through fears of domination or loss of privilege. This is similar to self-deportation.
• In some countries, the IOM's programmes of "voluntary assisted returns" have been criticized. The "voluntary" nature of these returns, put forward in the media coverage of IOM interventions is considered to be questionable in places such as Libya.{{cite journal|first=Julien|last=Brachet|title=Policing the Desert: The IOM in Libya Beyond War and Peace|journal=Antipode|volume=48|number=2|date=2016|pages=272–292|doi=10.1111/anti.12176}} According to the UNHCR, "voluntariness is more than an issue of principle" . If refugee's rights are not recognized and enforced, if they are subject to pressures and restrictions such as confinement to isolated camps, they may choose to return, but this is not "an act of free will".{{cite web|url=https://www.unhcr.org/3bfe68d32.pdf | title=HANDBOOK on VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION: INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION | publisher=UNHCR | access-date=2023-12-16}}
• Some countries offer financial support to refugees and rejected asylum seekers in order to facilitate the process of starting a new life in their country of origin. This could be considered as residency buyouts.

The UNHCR and the IOM offer assistance to refugees who want to return voluntarily and to other people in need of support for returning to their home countries. This includes administrative, logistical, financial and reintegration support. Many developed countries also provide assistance and voluntary return programs independent from the IOM and the UNHCR. Support includes arrangement and payment for returning travels. Support may also include financial support so that returnees can make sustainable investments and rebuild their lives again, and connecting people with networks and groups in the country of origin so that they will get support from local organizations.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}}

Upon enrolling in assisted voluntary return programs (AVR), the applicant is forfeits their claim as a refugee or asylum-seeker. Many times this includes a five-year travel ban restricting the individual from returning to the host country,{{Cite journal|last=Encinas|first=Monica|date=May 2016|title=Assisted Voluntary Return: implications for women and children|journal=Forced Migration Review|volume=1|pages=84–86}} similar to deportation. According to interviews with IOM workers and files on return migrants who took part in their program, it is not uncommon for return migrants to feel pressured into applying to AVR programs due to financial hardships, lack of employment, and fear of deportation.{{Cite journal|last=Leekes|first=Arjen|date=November 2017|title=What drives 'soft deportation'? Understanding the rise in Assisted Voluntary Return among rejected asylum seekers in the Netherlands|journal=Population Space and Place|volume=23}}

{{flagu|Belgium}} – Return and Emigration of Asylum Seekers Ex Belgium programme: This program is open to asylum seekers and third-country nationals who want to return to their country of origin or to voluntarily emigrate to a third world country. As this program is voluntary, one can retract their application if ever they change their mind. Applicants are offered travel support, including counselling prior to departure, assistance during their flight and travel cost. Applicants are also offered some monetary compensation to get them to their home from the airport. Financial support is also offered to aid in the reintegration process, partially funded by the European Return Fund.{{Cite journal|last=Lietaert|first=Ine|date=December 2017|title=From Social Instrument to Migration Management Tool: Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes - The Case of Belgium|journal=Social Policy and Administration|volume=51|issue=7|pages=961–980|doi=10.1111/spol.12185}}

{{flagu|Denmark}} – with a history of financially incentivising the voluntary return of immigrants,{{cite news |title=Denmark offers immigrants $21,000 to leave country |url=http://www.pressreader.com/canada/edmonton-journal/20091110/281732675564028 |publisher=Edmonton Journal |date=November 10, 2009}} Denmark raised the amount to 100,000 kroner per person (around €13,000 EUR or US$20,000{{cite news |title=Denmark woos immigrants |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2009/11/denmark-woos-immigrants/ |publisher=98.4 Capital FM |date=November 10, 2009}}) in 2009.{{cite news |title=Denmark offers immigrants £12,000 to return home |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/denmark/6533845/Denmark-offers-immigrants-12000-to-return-home.html |publisher=The Telegraph |date=November 10, 2009}} Peter Skaarup, deputy leader of the Danish People's Party, explained the scheme was aimed at immigrants from outside the EU and non-Nordic nations, targeting "nationals from non-Western countries who are struggling to adapt to Danish society". The Danish government also allocated 20 million kroner for city councils, to "motivate foreigners to return home".{{cite news |title=Denmark offers immigrants €13K to return home |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1109/123996-denmark/ |publisher=RTÉ.ie |date=November 10, 2009}}

{{flagu|France}} – from 2005 around 3,000 immigrant families were paid to voluntarily leave France. By 2007, under newly elected President Nicolas Sarkozy, the French government started an enhanced scheme offering €6,000 per immigrant family to return to their country of origin. Brice Hortefeux, Immigration Minister, stated that France "must increase this measure to help voluntary return".{{cite news |title=France to Pay Immigrants to Return Home |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/a-new-broom-in-paris-france-to-pay-immigrants-to-return-home-a-484716.html |publisher=Der Spiegel |date=May 24, 2007}} In 2016, in response to the European migrant crisis, the government had rapidly risen the offer from €350 to €2,500 per individual.{{cite news |title=French government offers refugees and migrants €2,500 to 'voluntarily' deport themselves |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-immigration-refugees-migrants-ofii-didier-leschi-a7439421.html |work=The Independent |date=November 25, 2016}} In 2017, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb reconfirmed the commitment to raise the monetary offer for immigrants to leave France.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

{{flagu|Germany}} – with 35,000 voluntary returns in 2015, Germany allocated an extra €150 million over three years for migrants willing to return to their homelands.{{cite news |title=Germany to pay for migrants to go home |url=http://www.politico.eu/article/germany-to-pay-for-migrants-to-go-home-gerd-muller/ |work=Politico |date=December 9, 2016}} The policy saw an increase to 55,000 repatriations in the first year.{{cite news |title=Program paying asylum applicants to leave Germany voluntarily begins |url=http://www.dw.com/en/program-paying-asylum-applicants-to-leave-germany-voluntarily-begins/a-37374656 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=February 1, 2017}} In February 2017, under the 'Starthilfe Plus' scheme, immigrants were offered up to €1,000 each, or €3,000 to families, to leave the country and withdraw applications for asylum or residency.{{cite news |title=Germany to pay for migrants to go home |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-offer-asylum-seekers-1200-euros-voluntarily-return-home-countries-refugees-crisis-merkel-a7561701.html |work=The Independent |date=February 3, 2017}} As of October 2017, 8,639 immigrants had returned home via the government program.{{cite news |title=Germany is offering rejected asylum seekers up to €3,000 to go home |url=https://qz.com/1145888/germany-is-offering-to-pay-rejected-asylum-seekers-to-go-home/ |publisher=Quartz |date=December 4, 2017}}{{cite news |title=Germany, overrun, paying migrants to go home |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/8/germany-overrun-paying-migrants-go-home/ |publisher=The Washington Times |date=December 8, 2017}} In December 2017, under the slogan "Your country. Your future. Now!",{{cite news |title=Germany offers refugees benefits in kind to return home |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-offers-refugees-benefits-in-kind-to-return-home/ |work=Politico |date=December 3, 2017}} the German government began offering grants for new kitchens and bathrooms, as well as one year's worth of paid rent, in the country of origin of an immigrant choosing to return home.{{cite news |title=We'll buy you a kitchen if you leave, Germany tells refugees |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/germany/berlin/we-ll-buy-you-a-kitchen-if-you-leave-germany-tells-refugees-0n88fbrsz |work=The Times |date=December 4, 2017}}

{{flagu|Ireland}} – in 2009, the Republic of Ireland government began offering repatriations grants to immigrants from nations outside the European Union to return home. The move was motivated by the Irish economic recession, with the EU-funded project attempting to "persuade foreign workers and asylum seekers to return to their country of origin".{{cite news |title=Irish government to pay immigrants to go home |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/15/ireland-pay-immigrants-go-home |work=The Guardian |date=November 14, 2009}}

{{flagu|Italy}} – in 2013, the Italian government offered African migrants, mainly from Ghana, Libya and Togo, up to €500 to leave the country and travel onwards to Germany, France or northern European nations. Detlef Scheele, Hamburgs social affairs minister, dealing with multiple arrivals from Italy, declared that the immigrants had "no legal right to stay" and would return to Italy or back to their home countries.{{cite news |title=African refugees in Italy 'told to go to Germany' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10085006/African-refugees-in-Italy-told-to-go-to-Germany.html |publisher=The Telegraph |date=May 28, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Italy paid refugees €500 to leave for Germany |url=https://www.thelocal.de/20130528/49961 |publisher=The Local |date=May 28, 2013}}

{{flagu|Norway}} – in 2016 the Norwegian government offered the first 500 asylum seekers to take a 10,000 kroner "bonus" to leave the country voluntarily, in addition to the 20,000 kroner already offered per person.{{cite news |title=Norway offers to pay asylum seekers £1000 bonus to leave the country |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/26/norway-to-pay-asylum-seekers-extra-money-to-leave/ |publisher=The Telegraph |date=April 26, 2016}} Sylvi Listhaug, Integration Minister of Norway, claimed the move might "entice" immigrants to "voluntarily travel back by giving them a bit more money on their way out".{{cite news |title=Norway to offer refugees a bonus to return home |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/norway-offer-refugees-bonus-return-home-1556756 |work=International Business Times |date=April 26, 2016}}

{{flagu|Spain}} – in 2008, struggling from recession and with unemployment towards 30%, the Spanish government proposed a 'Voluntary Return Plan'. Mainly targeting immigrants from South America, the Spanish labour ministry identified around 100,000 individuals from 19 countries which would be eligible for the scheme.{{cite news |title=Spain to pay immigrants to leave |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/21/spain |work=The Guardian |date=July 21, 2008}} In 2011, Anna Terrón, Secretary of State for Immigration, claimed the scheme "helps everyone if those who want to return to their country of origin are able to."{{cite news |title=The Problem With Spain's Plan to Pay Migrants to Go Home |url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2057231,00.html |work=Time |date=March 5, 2011}}

{{flagu|Sweden}} – in August 2007, the Swedish government began offering asylum seekers who were rejected permanent residency the equivalent of £3,500 per immigrant for a voluntary return to their country of origin.{{cite news |title=Thousands of migrants paid by Swedish gov't to leave |url=https://www.onenewsnow.com/culture/2016/08/29/thousands-of-migrants-paid-by-swedish-govt-to-leave |publisher=OneNewsNow |date=August 29, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/fler-%C3%A5terv%C3%A4ndare-till-irak-1.1075555 |title=Fler återvändare till Irak |newspaper=Göteborgs-Posten |date=20 March 2009 |first=Christer |last=Lövkvist |language=sv}} This resulted in a record 4,542 immigrants taking part in the scheme, and returning home in the first 8 months of 2016.{{cite news |title=Sweden sees record numbers of asylum seekers withdraw applications and leave |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-asylum-seekers-sweden-applications-withdrawn-record-numbers-a7209231.html |work=The Independent |date=August 25, 2016}}

{{flagu|Switzerland}} – the Swiss government, following in the footsteps of Denmark, began a policy of confiscating any property of illegal immigrants with a value over 1,000 Swiss francs. However, the 2016 policy included an incentive for migrants to return to their country of origin, with the SEM stating that "if someone leaves voluntarily within seven months this person can get the money back and take it with them."{{cite news |title=Switzerland seizing assets from refugees to cover costs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/15/switzerland-joins-denmark-in-seizing-assets-from-refugees-to-cover-costs |work=The Guardian |date=January 15, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Swiss, like Danes, seize assets from refugees to recoup costs - TV |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN0US2X620160114 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113035613/https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN0US2X620160114 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 13, 2018 |publisher=Reuters |date=January 14, 2016}}

{{flagu|United Kingdom}} – in 2006, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants were offered up to £3,000 per individual to leave the country. Job training, education as well as travel costs were included in the scheme, with an expected uptake of 3,000 people, costing the British taxpayer an estimated £6.2 million.{{cite news |title=Asylum seekers to be asked: will you leave for £3,000? |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/asylum-seekers-to-be-asked-will-you-leave-for-3-000-57t6g9m9lmf |work=The Times |date=January 13, 2006}} By 2010, the annual cost had risen to £16 million, with Immigration Minister Damian Green announcing a reduction from the 5-year delay on re-entry applications, to further incentivise quick voluntary repatriations.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

• Assisted Voluntary Return for Families and Children: This program is open to non-European people with children and lone migrant children. They are given a cash grant of £500 to relocate and £2,000 to reintegrate to their communities per person.{{Cite journal|last=Webber|first=Frances|date=April 2011|title=How voluntary are voluntary returns?|journal=Race & Class|volume=52|issue=4|pages=98–107|doi=10.1177/0306396810396606|s2cid=144585504}} One can apply to this scheme before their asylum claim has been rejected.
• Assisted Voluntary Return of Irregular Migrants: This program provides help to illegal immigrants and immigrants who have overstayed to return to their country of origin. They are not offered monetary assistance.
• Facilitated Returns Scheme: This aids foreign national prisoners, once they have completed their sentence they are given £500 cash and a reintegration package of £3,000. If they leave before the end of their sentence they can receive  up to £2,000 more.
• Positive Futures Project: This project is offered to young unaccompanied adults. After applying to an assisted voluntary return program, they can receive training to develop skills and gain additional education to help them build a home and have a career in the country they are returning to.{{Cite journal|last=Robinson|first=Kim|date=2015|title=Leaving Care: Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young Afghans Facing Return|journal=Refuge|volume=31|issue=2|pages=85–94|doi=10.25071/1920-7336.40312|doi-access=free}}
• Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme: One can receive maximum £1,500 per person relocating to their home country. This program aids applicants with travel documents and booking flight.

{{flagu|Canada}} – the Canadian government opted to not renew their 'Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration' pilot program in early 2015, after an evaluation by the Canada Border Services Agency. The program sought to reduce the number of failed asylum appeals and incentivize voluntarily leaving the country, but did not achieve all its objectives.{{cite news |title=Ottawa to end contentious refugee return program |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/01/22/ottawa-to-end-contentious-refugee-return-program.html |publisher=Toronto Star |date=January 22, 2015}}

{{flagu|United States}} – in 2018, the American government announced the end of temporary protected status (TPS) for 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants. The decision, implemented by President Donald Trump, gave an 18-month period for immigrants to find a legal route to staying in the U.S. or to return to their country of origin. The termination of TPS comes into effect on September 9, 2019, granting immigrants a grace period for voluntarily repatriation, before facing deportation beyond that date.{{cite news |title=Trump administration ends protections for more than 200,000 Salvadorans |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/08/politics/temporary-protected-status-el-salvador/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=January 9, 2017}}

{{flagu|Israel}} – the Israeli government withhold 20 percent of asylum seekers' wages, in an attempt to encourage individuals to leave the country, where they will have access to the funds upon return to their homeland. The scheme was launched from May 2016, and currently applies to asylum seekers from Sudan and Eritrea.{{cite news |title=Israel taking money from asylum seekers' pay then returning it when they leave country |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-asylum-seekers-pay-income-leave-country-return-immigration-middle-east-a7827481.html |work=The Independent |date=July 6, 2016}}

{{flagu|Japan}} – after the 2008 financial crisis, Japan initiated a policy of paying unemployed workers to leave the country, mainly targeting the Latin American Dekasegi population for voluntary return.{{cite news |title=Japan Pays Foreign Workers to Go Home |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/business/global/23immigrant.html |work=New York Times |date=April 22, 2009}} The incentivised scheme offered $3,000 (USD), plus $2,000 per dependent, and came with additional clauses that children of the returnee (second-generation immigrants) would not be able to later emigrate to Japan regardless of circumstance.

• Right of return

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Category:Freedom of movement

Category:Refugees

Category:Repatriation