This article argues that a distinct repertoire of social and political contention associated with migration
and the presence of immigrants in the UK plays a large part in structuring responses to ostensibly
new migration challenges such as people smuggling and human trafficking. This repertoire
includes the elision and confusion of migration categories (particularly in this instance between
irregular migration and asylum); the impact of state policies on the creation of unwanted migration
flows; fears of floods and invasions by unwanted migrants; concerns that the state is losing
control of migration; the depiction of migration and migrants as causes of increased support for
the extreme right; the existence of labour market pull factors that provide economic spaces for both
regular and irregular migrants; the symbolic power but limited effect of an international human
rights regime and discourse; and problems of policy implementation. The contemporary twist is
provided by the links made between irregular migration and the war on terror and the ways in
which migration has become a component of bilateral relations between the UK and other states,
particularly those structured by EU competencies.