The increase in emigration pressures in sending countries together with the tightening of admission requirements for legal migrants and asylum seekers in receiving countries, are said to be among the main factors driving the growth in human smuggling. For this reason, many commentators have advocated the creation of more regular channels for employment, and the introduction of temporary worker programs, especially for the low skilled to reduce human smuggling. It is often suggested that if more migrants were able to enter developed countries legally for short periods to work, fewer people would need to turn to smugglers for assistance. This article discusses some of the arguments for and against this policy approach, focusing on Europe. The article suggests that there are likely to be no easy solutions to combating people smuggling, and only a comprehensive approach, is likely to have any chance of success; such an approach should include a range of measures including greater onportunities for temporary employment.