This book investigates the complex political and ethical tensions inherent in the repatriation of refugees to their countries of origin. Author Katy Long, a scholar specializing in migration and citizenship, synthesizes political theory with extensive historical analysis and primary fieldwork conducted in Latin America and Africa. She argues that the international community's focus on return as the primary solution for displaced populations often overlooks the practical realities of rights, safety, and the political agency of the refugees themselves.

Experts in international relations and migration studies identify this work as a significant contribution to the understanding of durable solutions for displaced populations. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the text, which effectively bridges the gap between high-level political theory and the lived experiences of refugees.