Conducting Research About Undocumented Migrants

Conducting research about undocumented migrants is, for various reasons, always challenging. Very seldom are available accurate information and comprehensive statistical data on their demographic, economic, and social situations. Furthermore, there are many kinds of undocumented migrants, and it is often difficult for researchers to contact them.This chapter discusses the methodological challenges of conducting research about undocumented migrants, especially in situations in which no previous data is available and undocumented migrants are wary of attempts to study them. The chapter explains in detail how to design research using triangulated quantitative survey data and qualitative ethnographic data on undocumented migrants; how to analyse and reflect upon them in ways that avoid biased results as far as possible; and the common challenges and opportunities of this kind of research. Finally, the chapter posits solutions, paying extensive attention to research ethics, and especially to the power imbalance between researchers and the researched, and the precautions that need to be taken and ensured in order to avoid data leakage and/or wrongful exposure—which are topics of the utmost importance when conducting research about undocumented migrants.

Healthcare of Undocumented Migrants

Finnish authorities provide undocumented migrants with at least emergency healthcare services, but very few (if any) undocumented migrants use these or other public healthcare services. There are challenges to accessing healthcare, including language, culture or communication, inadequate information, difficult opening times, lack of specialised services, fear of using such services, and lack of networks relating to social and healthcare services. The provision of wider healthcare services and prevention of illnesses is actually less expensive for countries than providing undocumented migrants with only emergency healthcare.This chapter discusses the undocumented migrants’ access to healthcare and their use of healthcare services. The Constitution of Finland guarantees emergency healthcare services for everyone staying in Finland, including undocumented migrants; however, the actual provision of healthcare (emergency or otherwise) for undocumented migrants varies greatly among local municipalities. Furthermore, few migrants use these available services. The majority turn to unofficial services, with some risk for themselves and the local community. The chapter highlights issues regarding the mental and physical health of undocumented migrants, who often suffer from trauma, which is not properly treated. It also discusses the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on undocumented migrants in Finland.

Conclusions

Millions of undocumented and irregular migrants live in the EU, and many more live in the countries outside of it. In Finland, the number of undocumented migrants has so far been rather small—up to a few thousand people. There are many kinds of undocumented migrants, but the common factor is that they reside in a country without the proper legal right to do so and their presence is not fully approved by that country’s authorities.This chapter presents the main findings of the research about the everyday lives of undocumented migrants in Finland, showing how these findings corresponded closely with the international academic literature and brought insight to the current discussion. The results are reflected in the broader EU context and beyond. Additionally, the chapter suggests promising research themes on the topic, as they emerged from the main findings.Research has already demonstrated that no country can expel all its undocumented migrants. The results of this study and earlier studies have also suggested the revision of immigration and asylum policies in the EU, including Finland, to create win-win situations for both undocumented migrants and the countries in which they reside.

Internet and Social Media Use of Undocumented Migrants

The internet and social media are crucial tools in asylum-related journeys and the lives of undocumented migrants in their destination countries. Many use the internet and social media in the country of origin to prepare and plan the trip, and their use becomes even more common during their asylum-related journeys. In the destination country, use of the internet and social media becomes a common, if not an everyday, necessity. In general, the digital divides diminish along their journeys to the destination countries.This chapter explores the access of undocumented migrants to the internet and social media applications; their ability to use them; and the impact of their use in their country of origin, during their journeys, and in the destination country (Finland). Internet and social media are important tools for building and maintaining social relationships; staying in touch with family; and finding a job, food and clothing, and shelter for the night. Finally, the chapter analyses rumours and misinformation on the internet and in social media, as well as among the migrants’ own networks.

Undocumented Migrants’ Everyday Lives in Finland

The everyday lives of undocumented migrants are littered with challenges, such as constantly having to find new places in which to live and sleep; seeking employment and a livelihood, even in the grey market; contacting families and friends, to overcome feelings of loneliness and despair; maintaining hope for the future, despite living in a country that is rejecting them; and escaping the police. Living without legal permission in a country makes them wear a variety of identities and masks, and continually devise new survival strategies and practices in order to survive and make ends meet.The chapter illustrates how undocumented migrants in Finland manage to find more or less secure accommodation, and how some of them even find jobs despite the law forbidding them to work in Finland. The chapter also explores in detail their everyday social lives, who they turn to when they need something, and their aspirations and hopes for the future. We also pay attention to their migrations to Finland, within Finland, and their potential on-migration from Finland, including return migration.

Becoming Undocumented: Legislation and Asylum Processes in Finland

The phenomenon of irregular migration is very complex in the EU, including Finland. Definitions and practices regarding asylum seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants are blurred. The laws and immigration policies also attempt to define and enact fixed categories by which to classify undocumented migrants, but these people always escape such legal boundaries through their actions, decisions, and migratory behaviours.In this chapter, we study the asylum-related legislation and processes from the viewpoints of both the authorities who decide whether to grant international protection, and the undocumented migrants who request asylum. The chapter describes the Finnish asylum process in detail, and explains how the undocumented migrants (mostly former asylum seekers) we studied experienced it. Some countries tolerate undocumented migrants, allowing them to work and have access to many public services. In other countries, such as Finland, they are denied the right to work and barely have access to healthcare. Being an undocumented migrant is simultaneously about becoming an undocumented migrant, and failing the asylum process is the most common path to becoming an undocumented migrant. We also indicate how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of new asylum applications in Finland decreased by more than half.

Introduction

Undocumented Migrants and their Everyday Lives: The Case of Finland discusses the processes and practices through which migrants become undocumented; what their everyday lives consist of; which local, national, and international policies and practices affect them; and how they deal with them. In addition, the book reflects on how research on undocumented migrants can best be conducted using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, and reflects on research ethics and methodologies. The empirical focus of the book is Finland and, more broadly, the European Union (EU), but the themes connect to a broader geographical scope.The topic of irregular migration and undocumented migrants is becoming increasingly important in Europe. The book asks who these undocumented migrants are; what their everyday lives are like, what key issues concern them; and how the society regards them—particularly in Finland. Among the key themes addressed are the asylum processes and their failures; the housing, employment, and social networks of undocumented migrants; their migration journeys to, within, and beyond Finland; their healthcare; and their uses of the internet and social media. This introductory chapter outlines the book, describes the Finnish context, and reviews the literature concerning the emergence of the undocumented migrant phenomenon.