Migration movements and the management of migration are of growing importance today. The main reasons for this are: the globalisation of markets, unequal access to resources, easy access to means of communication and transportation, as well as an increase in armed conflict across the world.

The SFM conducts research in the following areas of migration movements:

• Immigration in the context of policies on asylum and foreigners
• Conditions of access to and the integration into the labour market
• Background and consequences of engaging in undeclared work
• Characteristics of irregular immigration in Switzerland
• Management of migration and cooperation among countries of origin and destination
• Human trafficking in Europe

The SFM analyses new migration movements on the basis of quantitative and qualitative data. It studies the consequences of migration movements for those directly involved, as well as for different public and private institutions, in order to make available its know-how and expertise for shaping future policy.