Emotional geographies of irregular transmigrants’ journeys

Abstract

Migrants’ journeys involve geopolitical, corporeal, and emotional dimensions. Yet, emotions, which are fundamental to understand the migrant experience, are usually overlooked. Following the ‘emotional geographies’ approach, this article analyses the spatial contextualisation of the affective and emotional experiences of irregular migrants in transit. Cognitive mapping methodology is proposed as a means to address the spatial and subjective dimensions of migrants’ experiences. The ‘testimonial maps’ of two Central American transmigrants in Mexico are explored. The emotional geographies of irregular transmigration underscore the emotional turmoil associated with the irregular migratory process(es). They shed light to the familiar arrangements made before the journey, the natural landscape as part of the control, the encounters with agents of the state and criminal actors, the sanctuary places, the acquaintances and fortuitous friendships, the resilience and adaptability needed for endure the journey, and, beneath all this, the multi-emotional dimension of the journey: love, sorrow, shame, courage, anxiety, fear, trust, kindness, and hope.

Introduction: the production of irregular migration

“…This notion creates specific blind spots as well, such as that irregularity often emerges after a border crossing that is completely in line with the law. Moreover, the spectacle also tends to ignore the ways irregular pathways provoke specific enduring challenges and emotions for migrants (Campos-Delgado 2021). In other words, people living in irregularity can often not relate to the notion of the spectacle, as their lives unfold in invisible ways, possibly involving feelings of timelessness, boredom and waiting.…”

Intimate mobilities—International (transnational) marriage and migration: Japanese marriage migrants floating between Japan and Korea

“…In examining the case of Central American transmigrants, Campos‐Delgado (2019) identifies emotional elements of their migration journeys. Detention centers and shelters represent transitions in the migration process; thus, there are contrary emotions of both fear and hope.…”

“…Examining emotion in the migration process, where people settle into a new society and face obstacles, allows us to understand how their new environment impinges on them, triggering certain emotional responses. Indeed, it is proclaimed that emotion is a crucial dimension in understanding migrants' experiences (Campos‐Delgado, 2019). Thus, a growing number of scholars have begun investigating the role of emotion in the migration process.…”

Living in two countries: Transnational living as an alternative to migration

“…And when it does, it is sometimes ambiguous whether ‘trans‐’ refers to transnational or transit (e.g. Campos‐Delgado, 2019; Diego Rivera Hernández, 2020). The most unequivocal use of ‘transmigrant’ in the social sciences is as the designation of participants in Indonesia's state‐sponsored Transmigrasi programme for internal migration (e.g.…”