Imamichi, Interdependence and Technology-Mediated Action – The Case of Border Governance

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is employed to reinforce contemporary immigration and borders control, typically motivated by the need to protect national or regional security. Strict immigration criteria in receiving countries leave certain categories of migrants such as unskilled, third-country nationals few options but seeking access in an irregular fashion, for example on the basis of false documents or via unauthorized entry points. In order to avoid detection by border surveillance systems, undocumented migrants typically undertake extensive and dangerous routes, often assisted by human smugglers. Thus, strict migration governance jeopardizes the personal security of migrants who have few options but travelling in an irregular fashion. This chapter investigates the ethics of ICT in the context of border governance from the perspective of Imamichi Tomonobu’s Eco-ethica that requires a critical questioning of the role of technology and technology-mediated action. It is used as a tool to shed light on the problem rather than to solve the problem. Criteria for fair sharing of responsibility for transnational migration are sought in Imamichi’s holistic approach.