Legal geographies of irregular migration: An outlook on immigration detention

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Abstract

In this article, I discuss legal geographies of irregular migration, drawing on a case study on immigration detention in Finland. Based on analysis of detention records, four different types of legal geographies are identified, relating to south–north movement of third‐country nationals inside Europe, criminalised Eastern European EU citizens, irregularity during the asylum process (in particular, related to the Dublin Regulation) and irregularly residing foreign nationals, including deportable long‐term residents. The analysis focuses on the relations between space, law and persons during detainees' irregular migration trajectories, paying attention to their varying entry routes, residence times, legal grounds for removal and detention and removal countries. I argue for the need for empirically contextualised analysis that addresses the complex relations between law and geography beyond a particular national context, in order to better understand the dynamics of irregular migration in all its variety.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2340
JournalPopulation Space and Place
Volume26
Issue number5
Number of pages11
ISSN1544-8444
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2020
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Fields of Science

  • 513 Law
  • 5141 Sociology

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