Scholars of Excellence Workshop: The many faces of irregularity in migration

What is irregular migration? The answer depends on the context and the people concerned. Different cultural, social, legal and policy settings can shape very diverse definitions and experiences of irregularity. We might understand irregularity as the lack of adequate authorization to take up residence in a country, or as the lack of  permission to work when someone otherwise has a permit to stay. More broadly speaking, irregularity might be associated with the risk of losing permission, i.e., having a temporary permit or one that might soon expire. Protection seekers may find themselves in a situation of irregularity before their application procedure – such as if they have difficulty accessing the system – or after their application – such as if they face rejection. Irregular status might include those who are authorized to work, yet face unfair working conditions, such as longer hours or more difficult tasks than those who have full authorization to work. Irregularity, in the end, might refer to a general condition of temporariness, precarity and increased vulnerability for migrants who do not comply, or are at risk of not complying, with the social and legal standards of ‘regular’ migration status as defined in the place they reside.  

With this workshop, we want to explore the many possible understandings of what irregularity means in various regional contexts and at the transnational level. We will compare recent and historical trends that define irregularity, the statistical dimension of the phenomenon, the legal frameworks and the relevant policy measures, as well as the cultural and social dimensions associated with the representation of migrant irregularity.