Challenging conventional wisdom, we reveal that political systems—whether liberal or illiberal, democratic or authoritarian—do not rigidly dictate migration politics. Instead, migration politics and political regimes co-produce one another. Our exploration delves into the roles of civil society, legal actors, employers, and international norms across diverse political contexts and bridges conversations around immigration and emigration politics. Uncovering unexpected similarities in migration policies across different political regimes at a time when states are increasingly adopting illiberal practices, this collection is essential for political scientists, sociologists, and migration scholars seeking a fresh perspective. offers an ideal vantage point for understanding the role of migration in state transformations and political changes around the world. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Third World Quarterly.