Public debates about migration regularly call for stricter border controls to prevent 'unwanted' migrants from entering the country. In her dissertation, 'Borders, independence and post-colonial ties: the role of the state in Caribbean migration,' Vezzoli focuses on Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana. She found that between 1950 and today, migration restrictions following the independence of Guyana and Suriname unintentionally led to a spike in the number of migrants, while similar peaks were not seen in the absence of migration restrictions, as was the case in French Guyana. Open borders tend to bring about more circular mobility, including shorter visits and return migration. Her research also found that governments, particularly in the countries of origin, play an indirect role by introducing policies that do not involve migration. These include political and socioeconomic policies and stability in the homeland. Strong ties between former colonies and colonisers following independence often lead to increased migration to the former coloniser. On the other hand, strengthening relations with other countries through trade, education or media attention appears to broaden the horizons of migrants with regard to the destination country, which can divert migration flows to new destinations.