Putting out Fires. The situation of undocumented migrants in Sweden and the role of civil society activism.

Sammanfattning: The migration politics in Sweden have changed drastically within the past years as it has introduced stricter asylum policies and higher securitisation of borders. As a result, an increased number of people are forced to live as undocumented migrants, meaning without a legal permit to stay in the country. This thesis aims to contribute to the analysis of this development by investigating the role of civil society activism in relation to undocumented migrants in Sweden. In order to do this, six semi-structured interviews and one focus group interview were performed with civil society activists active in Malmö and Lund. The interviews focused on the situation of undocumented migrants, how the activists engage in order to improve their situations and what challenges they could identify within their support. The empirical material gained from the interviews have been analysed by using critical border theory and critical citizenship theory. The main findings of this study demonstrate that a life in undocumentedness is severely restrained by the fear of becoming subject for control and deported. Further, the acts of professionals within the welfare field have significant effect on the lives of undocumented migrants. As for civil society activists, their support plays a crucial role in improving the situation of undocumented migrants, since they have become the main provider of fulfilling the basic needs of undocumented migrants. Their support also has a political character as they engage in combating restricted migration policies through demonstrations, protests and campaigns. However, their aim to act politically becomes challenged by the heavy workload they carry.