Why do autocratizing regimes liberalize their immigration policies?

Against theoretical expectations and common sense, autocratizing leaders – known for their nationalist agendas and human rights violations – do not always restrict immigration. In Morocco, Uganda, Brazil and Turkey, immigration policies have been liberalized amidst autocratization. This project investigates this puzzling phenomenon. It analyses liberalizing reforms in 30 autocratizing countries worldwide and then zooms into the fascinating case of Brazil. By identifying the drivers behind liberalizing reforms and examining how they relate to autocratizing leaders’ survival strategies, this project innovates theory-building in political science and offers urgent lessons for more effective, transnational advocacy on migrant rights.