Introduction

Abstract Migration law is politically contested, practically relevant, and full of legal conundrums. This book has been written to help readers navigate the often Byzantine European rulebook at a time where it has become increasingly difficult to keep an oversight. In doing so, it embraces a wide notion of ‘migration law’ encompassing the traditional dichotomy between ‘asylum’ and ‘immigration’, which, on the European continent at least, increasingly gives way to overarching references to migration. The eighteen chapters of this book concentrate on the legal status of third country nationals entering or staying in the Member States of the European Union (EU). They deal with EU legislation on diverse subject matters such as visas, border controls, asylum, legal migration, integration and settlement, irregular presence and return, as well as international cooperation. Our choice of title signals this broader outlook, which transcends the ‘nitty gritty’ of EU legislation and CJEU judgments. They will be the starting point of our analysis, which, at the same time, will consider international developments, policy debates, and national laws.