Unveiling Tomorrow's Europe: The Nexus of Big Data, Racial Profiling, and Territory control in bordering practices

• In Event: The New EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and Immigration Enforcement Changes in Europe (II)

Abstract

The discretionary use of power by police and the prioritization of order maintenance over law enforcement are key findings in the classics of the sociology of police. Additionally, police discretion for order maintenance may lead to racial discrimination. This paper explores how these elements continue to shape contemporary policing, especially with the integration of technology in control practices. For doing so, it focuses on border policing in urban areas, examining potential continuities and discontinuities with the past. In particular, attention is drawn to the recent EU Migration Pact, notably Article 5 of the Screening Regulation, which extends screening procedures beyond border apprehensions to include territories of Member States. Empirical studies on racial profiling in police practices elucidate the intertwining of racialization processes and territorial control, highlighting the spatial dimension of racial profiling. The Paper will investigate to what extent The EU Migration Pact has the potential to exacerbate or alter racial profiling risks associated with urban border policing activities, perhaps affecting the spatial organization and social stratification of future Europe.

Author

• Giulia Fabini, University of Bologna