Breaking the Convention: Researching the “Illegal” Migration of Refugees to Europe

Abstract

The study of refugees by geographers and other social scientists is, almost by definition, framed around a series of legal categories, which provide us with more or less neat categories of types of involuntary migrants. Yet the process of migration emerges in relation to legal categories and is not simply dictated by them. Thus, as legislation on migration in general and the interpretation of the 1951 Geneva Convention in particular have become more restrictive, patterns of migration have increasingly emerged that manipulate, circumvent or simply break existing legislation.This paper examines the responses by researchers in geography and related disciplines to asylum-seeking and other forms of migration that are increasingly categorised as "illegal" as a result of recent European policy developments. Specifically, the potential for participatory and/or emancipatory research in such circumstances is explored, through comparative analysis of the ethical issues involved in radical research on a range of "trafficking" scenarios. The interaction of such research with public policy-making is also examined.

Illegal Migration and Gender in a Global and Historical Perspective

“…They arrived at the conclusion that most of the data on this topic are unreliable. Moreover, there is believed to be a lot of sensational over-reporting (Black 2003). The academic literature agrees on the fact that many asylum seekers are smuggled, but there are no precise data to back this claim.…”

Living the Chilean dream? Bolivian migrants’ incorporation in the space of economic citizenship

“…This was the case for Amanda, 25, from El Alto, for example, when, following a dispute, she and her family were evicted from the property they rented from relatives at below market rate. In such situations of crisis, lack of savings or the safety net of comprehensive social security led some participants to take out loans with high interest rates, which they realistically had little chance of paying off with the Black, 2003). By referring to it as a practice of citizenship, it both indicates the agency of the migrant, but also reminds us that they are taking this decision because they cannot be full, certain citizens in their country of origin.…”

Asylum Seekers’ Credibility Burden: Managing Trauma in the Asylum Process without Collective Support

“…Despite contentious issues of conflict and other forms of persecution that account for the high degree of asylum applications in the U.S. and in other host countries, the ability for an asylum seeker to receive permanent residency status is subject to critical review by asylum agents (Black, 2003). Due to many nation-states addressing an influx of undocumented migrants and concerns for border security generally, asylum seekers face suspicion of their validity (Castenada, 2008;Einolf, 2001;Chavez, 1997;Black, 2003;Ranger, 2005;Mountz, Wright, Miyares, & Bailey, 2002;Schafer, 2002;Uçarer, 1989;Loescher, 1989;Abeyratne, 1999).…”

“…Due to many nation-states addressing an influx of undocumented migrants and concerns for border security generally, asylum seekers face suspicion of their validity (Castenada, 2008;Einolf, 2001;Chavez, 1997;Black, 2003;Ranger, 2005;Mountz, Wright, Miyares, & Bailey, 2002;Schafer, 2002;Uçarer, 1989;Loescher, 1989;Abeyratne, 1999). Although these perceptions are questionable with regard to the rights associated to refugees and asylum seekers, host states have claimed that they are seeking to verify asylum seekers and support border security measures (Ricoeur, 2010;Kivisto & Faist, 2009;Welch & Schuster, 2005;Einolf, 2001;Neumayer, 2005;Loescher, 1989).…”