This essay provides a critical appreciation of the theory of social change articulated in the book Escape Routes, particularly through the concepts of ‘escape’ and ‘imperceptibility’. It discusses the relevance of these concepts for understanding contemporary migration flows and the positionality of immigrants in the labor market. A poststructuralist Marxist interpretation is offered, linking precarious and noncapitalist work practices through the diverse economies framework. The article ends by questioning the limits of ‘imperceptibility’ as a strategic concept in political economy.