Interaction between Contested Dynamics of Migrant Integration and ID Regimes

Short-Term Scientific Mission Blog: Field Notes

Grantee name: Prof. Dr. Ayselin YILDIZ

Details of the STSM:

Title: Interaction between Contested Dynamics of Migrant Integration and ID Regimes

Start and end date: 01/07/2023 to 31/07/2023

Home Country: Turkey

Host Country: France

I was hosted by SciencesPo CERI (Paris, France) as visiting fellow between 1-31 July 2023. With a specific focus on the route from Afghanistan to France transiting Turkey, my research aimed to conduct field work to understand the mobility of Afghan migrants and their decision making with regards to different ID regimes/protection policies of different countries on their route. Accordingly, the research also seeks to understand the interconnectedness, complementariness, and contradictions along the extensive route taken by many migrants between Afghanistan and France.

Some research questions were as follows:

To what extent do integration and protection policies in close connection with ID regimes influence migrants’ choices to either continue their mobility or remain in their latest stop?
Are there any notable shifts or transformations in the methods and actors involved in irregular migration from or through Turkey to France? Are there any emerging approaches or actors in this regard?
How the migration journey continues from/via Turkey to France and what happens afterwards? Are there any novel dynamics, actors, or factors that stimulate or impede mobility in this context?

The field work involved short period of ethnographic observations and three focus groups (a total of 12 Afghan migrants) conducted through daily conversations. The focus groups were held in various settings, including public metro stations, Afghan restaurants, and the La Chapelle district of Paris, known for its significant Afghan population. All participants had transited through Turkey, with durations of stay ranging from 10 days to 3 years.

My research visit has been successful that I collected new and original data on the impact of ID regimes on migrants’ lives and how ID is utilized during their migration journey in different regions and countries. Some of the initial research findings are as follows:

Contrary to the prevailing notion that migrants undergo a complex decision-making process regarding whether to stay in a particular region or proceed to other destinations, the research unveils that the participants’ decisions are often influenced by key policy and legislative changes that have an immediate impact on their lives such as access to ID and job opportunities. Thus, actually the settled place is not becoming a final destination, instead, migration experience often transforms into an enduring period of transit, sometimes spanning several years. As an illustration, certain Afghan migrants noted that traveling from Germany to France or other European countries has become more feasible for them because after the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, EU countries started to give Afghan nationals IDs for protection and they are no longer treated as irregular migrants.
Another factor that pushed the Afghan migrants to explore new places of opportunity is raised during the conversations as the arrival of Ukrainians who, in certain instances, are provided housing by relocating Afghans, leading to a downgrade in their living conditions, particularly in Germany.
During the discussion of their migration experiences, some Afghan migrants shared instances of how law enforcement officials in various EU countries have either facilitated or influenced their subsequent mobility to other countries. It was revealed that documents issued by law enforcement officials, the ID regimes, or prolonged periods of uncertainty of status consistently push Afghan migrants to explore new places for settlement.
The conversations underscored that once an ID is obtained in any EU country, Afghan migrants use it as a crucial means for further mobility within the EU. Furthermore, they explained how original IDs are shared among multiple migrants for travel both into and out of the EU.
Last but not least, the research reveals that the concept of “integration” as perceived by migrants, is contested. Rather than the “policy domain” it is observed that migrants perceive and address integration through the direct implications on their lives and the impact within the “social sphere” (Zapata, Jacobs and Kastoryano, 2022). This observation sheds light on the disparities between normative understanding and social reality.

Thanks to the STSM opportunity that, I was able to collect the data of my research which will proceed by complementary data to be collected in Türkiye as well. I presented the initial findings of the research at SciencesPo CERI on 5^th February 2024. The questions and feedback received during the presentation have sparked new paths of inquiry. The preliminary findings are addressed as to offer a compelling context on “use of space and mobility,” while also providing a framework on how to bring the social networks and geography into the national concept of being a part of the society.