Who help irregular migrants? Supporters of irregular migrants in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Turin (Italy)

Minke Hajer,Maurizio Ambrosini

doi:10.1590/1980-85852503880005912

Minke Hajer, Maurizio Ambrosini

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-85852503880005912

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Abstract

Abstract Supporters of irregular migrants play an important role in the interactions between irregular migrants and the state. This article aims to shed light on the variety of actors involved in the support of irregular migrants and what kind of help they provide. The article asks whether this kind of help should be seen as purely humanitarian or as a form of political action; and describes a scale ranging from practical help to political help. With forms of hybrid help in between, to emphasize how everyday practices can be considered political in subtle or indirect ways.

Highlights

Supporters of irregular migrants play an important role in the interactions between irregular migrants and the state
The article asks whether this kind of help should be seen as purely humanitarian or as a form of political action; and describes a scale ranging from practical help to political help
Supporters help irregular migrants when the state refrains from giving help or actively tries to sabotage the arrival and settlement of migrants

Summary

Introduction

Supporters of irregular migrants play an important role in the interactions between irregular migrants and the state. This article focuses on people or organizations who act in favour of migrants and respond to their practical and social needs, for example by providing accommodation or arranging regularization, for moral, political or religious reasons, but not for profit They are part of the wider category of migrant intermediaries (Ambrosini, 2017), yet we distinguish the supporters from other intermediaries like smugglers and government (affiliated) institutions or civil servants. Help to irregular migrants doesn’t only focus on basic needs; supporters help with integration, to navigate bureaucracy, and to establish a social network This help can be provided, by non-governmental organizations (hereafter NGOs) like Doctors without Borders, and civil society organizations (hereafter CSOs) like churches or local grassroots initiatives. The fact that supporters become involved, despite legal risks, adds an interesting contribution to the understanding of the interplay between migration policies and social action

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