A new short film looks at what happens when Europe tells someone to leave, and why return is often more complex than a return decision suggests.
Return is high on the political agenda in the Netherlands and across Europe. Countries are working on stricter return policies and looking at new ways to return people without legal residence, including so-called return hubs.
But a return decision does not always mean that someone will return.
Researchers from FAiR (Finding Agreement in Return) have spent more than three years studying what happens before, during and after return. The European research project, led by Erasmus University Rotterdam, shows that people may not be able to return because their country of origin does not accept them, because returning is unsafe, or because they have no good prospects after returning.
The research also looks at detention, deportation, reintegration and human rights. It explores where current return policies run into problems and what other approaches could make return more effective and fair.
Making research accessible
To share these findings with a wider audience, the FAiR team has created a 16-minute film in the style of a late-night comedy and game show.
Using humour, storytelling and clear examples, the film explains some of the challenges around return and looks at possible alternatives. These include regularisation, better reintegration programmes and independent monitoring of human rights.
From research to public debate
The film provides an accessible introduction to the research behind the current debate on return. It asks what happens when return does not take place, why current policies can fall short, and what other options may be possible. 
Watch the FAiR film:
FAiR (Finding Agreement in Return) is a European research project funded by Horizon Europe and led by Erasmus University Rotterdam. The project brings together researchers and organisations from across Europe to study how return policies work in practice and how they can be made more effective and fair.
