Assessing the impact of the sustainable development goals (SDGS) on the white paper on citizenship, immigration and refugee protection in South Africa

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of the migrant-specific targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection in South Africa. The aim is to understand the influence of global goals on a national immigration policy and to assess the feasibility of the new policy as a tool for realizing sustainable development for immigrants. The study was conducted within the framework of the human rights-based approach (HRBA). The HRBA is relevant for study of global migration governance and immigration policy, since it promotes the protection of migrants’ rights and governments’ responsibility towards the safety, well-being and development of migrants. The study adopted a multimethod approach to qualitative data analysis, applying content analysis, document analysis and textual analysis research methods in relation to the White Paper and secondary sources to the subject matter.