Some decision makers are wary of the arrival of new “migrants.” Journalists and politicians certainly have a share of responsibility for this situation, often fomenting fear through semantics. On the ground, this mindset places displaced persons at risk. Could the law help provide a clearer understanding of the situation, and contribute concretely to protecting the displaced? Given that the law is intended to be a voice of reason, it would seem so. But it is also legitimate to ask whether the confusion that exists around population movements is not directly related to a failure of law. Examining interactions between the law and its environment from the perspective of the interdisciplinary theory of complex dynamic systems may provide some answers.