Being Spillover – Undocumented Migrants’ Experience of European Integration

Abstract

This chapter summarises the findings that were made during field research in Germany, Greece, Italy and Bulgaria. After discussing research methodology, the experiences of irregular migrants are discussed in several stages that relate to the categories developed in Chap. 4. As the EU’s border regime has become ever more restrictive, irregular migrants often have no choice but to resort to the services provided by human smugglers. This experience has been linked with the concept of reification. Upon first reception by European or national authorities, irregular migrants are screened, biometrically scanned, quarantined and vaccinated – they are thus exposed to biopolitics. Accommodation centres are perpetually operating beyond their capacity in a permanent state of exception. The lack of regular means of immigration has facilitated the emergence of an irregular labour market for clandestinos. The subaltern state of irregular migrants and their visible manifestation of material insecurity have triggered waves of xenophobia throughout the continent which has become a significant aspect of these migrants’ everyday lives. Finally, in line with Gramsci’s emancipatory agenda, the chapter discusses the obstacles standing in the way of overcoming irregular migrants’ subalternity.