In Reluctant Reception, Kelsey Norman proposes a new theory to explain state approaches to migration and observes how this theory functions within three cases. Norman theorizes that, though most scholars have previously argued that states adopt either repressive or integrative policies regarding migrants, there is a third strategy, which she terms “strategic indifference,” where states ignore migrants’ integration into informal economies and entrust NGOs with providing services to these populations. I consider whether Norman’s theory applies to Tunisia. It is important to consider Tunisia in this context because of its position as a traditional transit country between Africa and Europe, and due to the impact of Tunisian migrant reception policies on both the region and migrants and refugees residing in Tunisia. Therefore, I will be specifically considering whether strategic indifference is an appropriate theory for describing Tunisia’s approach to migration in the past thirty years. To answer this, an intensive review of the literature on historical Tunisian migrant reception and current empirical indicators will be done. In addition, a grant from my university will permit numerous elite interviews with representatives of the Arab Reform Initiative, Arab Center in Washington D.C., Yale University, International Organization for Migration, Migration Policy Institute, REACH, European Centre for Development and Policy Management, Brookings, Human Rights Watch, Georgetown’s Democracy and Governance Program, UN Refugee Agency, and Columbia Global Centers. Using Atlas.ti, a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software, I will identify major themes among the interviews. This research will add to a growing literature that attempts to go beyond explanations that simply resort to claims about state weakness or lack of will to account for gaps in policy implementation. A better understanding of the strategic choices employed by and constraints faced by states such as Tunisia is vital to ameliorating migrant and refugee policy shortcomings.