Prof. Mona Hussein Obaid, researcher and academic at the Center for Strategic Studies – University of Baghdad, participated in the scientific conference held at the University of Oran (2) in Algeria, entitled “The Euro-Mediterranean Space Facing the Challenge of Migration: Governance.. Challenges.. Prospects.” The research presented by Prof. Mona Hussein Obaid included a discussion of “Illegal Immigration: Its Causes and Effects on the Maghreb Countries.” The Maghreb countries have long been a land of immigration, with the exception of Libya. However, immigration in these countries has taken on a new character over the past few years. If the late 2000s were characterized by continuous immigration at a steady pace from these countries, there is also an expansion in the volume of immigration towards these countries. Thus, the identity of immigration has changed and has become more complex. If the reality of these flows is indisputable, it is still very difficult to measure them quantitatively, especially in light of their fundamentally irregular nature. It is important in this regard to note that most Maghreb countries completely cover up the issue of immigration, as this phenomenon does not exist at the official level, and the authorities do not wish to make the issue of immigration a problem.
