The main objective in conducting this research has been investigating and enquiring into the migration processes and border crossing practices of irregular migrants from South Asian and Middle Eastern countries, who entered Turkey via Iran, especially from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh and Somalia. Within this context, the study aims to reveal the reasons for the departure of immigrants in their countries, immigrant profiles, factors affecting immigration decisions, Iran's attitude towards immigrants, the cost of immigration, the difficulties encountered in the immigration process and the border crossing practices of immigrants. Examining the issue of security along with migration at Turkey-Iran border has been another objective of this study. In the study, in which the qualitative research method was adopted, primary data were obtained by using interviewing and various interview techniques. As a secondary data source, previous academic studies, data from the Directorate of Migration Management and the Provincial Migration Administration of Van Governorate were used. While dealing with the issue of irregular migration, which is a multidimensional and multi-actor phenomenon, actors such as immigrants, migrant smugglers, security forces, civil administrators and border villagers were used.
Afghans, Pakistanis and Iranians constitute a significant part of the immigrants who have increased in number in recent years and entered Turkey via Iran. Although their number varies from year to year, the rate of Afghans varies between 30% and 45% annually. It is seen that the main factor in the increase of both Afghan and other immigrant groups is security concerns and economic reasons. The Iranian administration's directing the immigrants in the country to the west and the activities of migrant smugglers also play an important role in this situation. Immigrants have to struggle with many difficulties, especially geographical conditions and abuses of smugglers, during the travel process. One of the most dramatic is migrant deaths. The number of immigrants who froze to death just on the Turkish-Iranian border each year is around 50.
It is hoped that this study, which focuses on the issue of migration, which has become one of the most important agenda topics of Turkey and the world in recent years, especially the issue of migration from the east, will contribute to both the literature and policy makers.
