Biometric Technology and Policy Narratives on Migration Control: The Case of Turkey

Year 2024, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 65 - 84, 30.04.2024

Rabia Karakaya Polat

Abstract

This paper analyses policy narratives on the use of biometric technology in mobile migration vehicles as a means of surveillance and control over irregular migration. Equipped with biometric control technology and appearing in random places with high migrant concentrations, these vehicles have been put into operation as effective control and surveillance tools. Drawing upon literatures on technological control, migration governance, and interpretive policy analysis (IPA), the paper demonstrates how these vehicles are deployed not only for controlling irregular migration but also for instilling a sense of control to the general public. Comparison of these mobile migration points to the ‘Go Home Van’ campaign in the UK in 2013 reveals interesting differences in their design, function, and public perception. The paper also demonstrates how new technologies enable governments to combine ‘softer’ and ‘more subtle’ approaches in migration control with more coercive measures such as detention and deportation.

Keywords

interpretive policy analysis, biometric technology, migration control, mobile migration van, policy narratives

Biyometrik Teknoloji ve Göç Kontrolüne Dair Politika Anlatıları: Türkiye Örneği

Abstract

Bu makale, biyometrik teknolojinin düzensiz göçü gözetleme ve kontrol etme aracı olarak mobil göç araçlarında kullanımına ilişkin politika söylemlerini analiz etmektedir. Biyometrik kontrol teknolojisiyle donatılan ve göçmenlerin yoğun olarak bulunduğu rastgele yerlerde ortaya çıkan bu araçlar, etkili kontrol ve gözetim araçları olarak faaliyete geçirilmiştir. Teknolojik kontrol, göç yönetişimi ve yorumlayıcı politika analizi (IPA) literatürlerine dayanan bu makale, bu araçların sadece düzensiz göçü kontrol etmek için değil, aynı zamanda genel kamuoyuna bir kontrol duygusu aşılamak için nasıl kullanıldığını göstermektedir. Bu mobil göç noktalarının 2013 yılında Birleşik Krallık'ta uygulanan 'Go Home Van' kampanyası ile karşılaştırılması, tasarım, işlev ve kamuoyu algısı açısından ilginç farklılıklar ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma aynı zamanda yeni teknolojilerin hükümetlerin göç kontrolünde 'daha yumuşak' ve 'daha incelikli' yaklaşımları gözaltı ve sınır dışı etme gibi daha zorlayıcı tedbirlerle nasıl birleştirebildiklerini de göstermektedir.

Keywords

Biyometrik teknoloji, göç kontrolü, göç yönetimi, göç anlatıları, yorumlayıcı politika analizi, mobil göç noktası

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