Undocumented migration is a huge global phenomenon, yet little is known about the reality of life for those involved. Sans Papiers combines a contemporary account of the theoretical and policy debates with an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences of undocumented migrants in the UK from Zimbabwe, China, Brazil, Ukraine and Turkish Kurdistan.

Built around their voices, the book provides a unique understanding of migratory processes, gendered experiences and migrant aspirations. Moving between the uniqueness of individual experience and the search for commonalities, the book explores the ambiguities and contradictions of being an undocumented migrant.

With its insights into personal experiences alongside analysis of wider policy issues, Sans Papiers will have wide appeal for students, academics, policy-makers and practitioners.

Alice Bloch is Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester. She is the co-author of Race, Multiculture and Social Policy (2013) and co-editor of Irregular Migrants (2012).

Nando Sigona is Birmingham Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Birmingham. He is co-author of No Way Out, No Way In (2012) and Associate Editor of Migration Studies.

Roger Zetter is Emeritus Professor of Refugee Studies at the University of Oxford. He is author of Lands of No Return (2012) and co-author of Refugee Community Organisations and Dispersal (2005).

List of Tables
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
1 Researching Everyday ‘Illegality’: An Introduction
2 Migration Dynamics, Irregular Migration and Governing Irregularity
3 Migrant Agency, Youth and Legal Status
4 Visibility and Invisibility: Arrival, Settlement and Socialisation Into Irregularity
5 Legal Status and the Labour Market
6 Fragile Communities: Social Networks and Geographies of Undocumentedness
7 Intersecting Youth and Legal Status
8 Conclusion
Notes
References
Index