This work investigates how legal frameworks and state policies construct the category of the 'makeshift migrant' to manage, exclude, and regulate human mobility. Ratna Kapur, a legal scholar known for her critical approach to international law and human rights, examines the intersection of migration law and post-colonial power dynamics. She argues that current legal structures often fail to protect vulnerable populations, instead reinforcing exclusionary practices that define who is considered a legitimate subject of the law and who is rendered disposable.

Legal scholars and sociologists frequently cite this text for its rigorous critique of how migration policies are weaponized against marginalized groups. Experts highlight the author's ability to expose the inherent biases within global legal systems that govern human movement.