”Jag är papperslös. Jag får inte ta min rättvisa.” En kvalitativ studie om papperslösa personers situation och strategier

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study is to investigate how undocumented migrants in Sweden describe their situation and which strategies they develop to handle their situation. The method being used has a qualitative approach and the material was collected through semi structured interviews with five individuals who live or have lived previously as undocumented migrants in Sweden. The theoretical framework of this study is critical citizenship theory, theory of respectability and deportability. The study found that undocumented migrants living conditions and everyday life were shaped by their deportability. Their deportability enabled exploitation in the workplace and in the housing market, it also created an internalised feeling of being less worth. Their non-existent access to social rights make them dependent on social contacts and non government organizations act of courtesy for help with money, housing, food and social support. The social support and the non-government organizations also serve as safe spaces where the undocumented migrants found belonging and a limited feeling of safety. Their everyday acts such as learning Swedish, making friends, engaging in politics and voluntary work can be understood as acts of citizenship. Through these actions they challenge the image of undocumented migrants as passive victims and also raises the question of who can be an active part of society.