Abstract
The past two decades have witnessed substantial transformations in the study of migration processes, policies, and politics across various disciplines. An essential shift involves the expansion of analytical viewpoints and empirical focuses within migration research. This expansion transcends the traditional emphasis on the nation state, encompassing scales from neighbourhoods to supranational domains. This chapter considers the study of the rescaling of immigration governance and policy, with a specific focus on the analysis of local or subnational dynamics. It explores how scholars have analysed this aspect over time and discusses methodological implications. The chapter underscores that examining immigration beyond the state necessitates clear unit definitions, considerations of governing capacity, and addressing challenges tied to data availability. Despite challenges, the local turn offers valuable insights and avenues for collaboration across disciplines, countering methodological nationalism.