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ABSTRACT
This research contributes to ever-growing research on multiple intersecting identities of irregular migrants. Investigating the experiences of 35 irregular migrants in Barcelona, it examines the paradoxical nature of the intersectional (in)visibility model across three analytical categories: institutional (in)visibility, (in)visibility as marginalization, and (in)visibility as strategy. Institutional (in)visibility involves the simultaneous co-existence of institutional invisibility at the national level and institutional visibility at the local level. (In)visibility as marginalization manifests discrimination or ignorance of certain irregular migrants with intersectional identities such as race, gender, or class, despite their shared legal status. (In)visibility as a strategy encompasses various performative actions, including street protests, to insert claims into the public sphere and camouflage to avoid racial profiling. Institutional (in)visibility is connected to the legal status and rights of irregular migrants; (in)visibility as marginalization is related to their race, gender, or class, while(in)visibility as strategy is a performed action as a response to institutional (in)visibility and/or (in)visibility as marginalization.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 Empadronamiento, el padrón in Spanish.
2 To apply for an Arraigo Social, a person must prove their presence in Spain for at least three consecutive years through the municipal registry. In addition, applicants should show a clean criminal record, a job contract, Spanish language skills, and other integration-related documents.
3 Although Royal Decree Law 16/2012 limited universal access to healtcare by introducing Social Security contributions as a requirement, Royal Decree-Law 7/2018 restored access to the public healtcare system as it had been prior to 2012 (see: Piccoli Citation2020).
4 Although municipal registration can be done without a fixed address (Law 2/2015 article 3.3), the process differs in practice (e.g. Vic, Ceuta, and Melilla) (Triviño-Salazar Citation2020).
5 Sindicato de Mujeres Cuidadoras Sin Papeles in Spanish.
6 Sin Papeles en Barcelona in Spanish.
7 A couple from the US had overstayed their visa in Spain for four months based on advice from their attorney – that the renewal process would be difficult as for the British after Brexit. Their attorney’s advice held true, and they were able to go back to the US and return to Spain in one week’s time without any difficulty. if they were any other nationality, there would have been further travel restrictions, fines, or entry bans.
8 As African-descendent migrants encounter, racial profiling occurs mostly in touristic places, it is highly related to Barcelona’s branding as a tourism capital which is ‘a degree of diverse’ global city. It is, therefore, significant to state that while I conducted interviews with migrants from South America in Raval, Sagrada Familia, and el Born, which are highly touristic places, I conducted interviews with migrants from Africa in Gracia, Ciutadella, and Sants, in which are not as touristic.
9 Ethical permission from the Institutional Committee for Ethical Review of Projects of the Pompeu Fabra University was a significant part of this research. This permission aims to protect interviewees from exploitation and to provide personal data protection.
10 The 14th award by the Barcelona Municipal Immigration Council (CMIB).
11 As a part of the broader Spanish National Healtcare System, Catsalut operates autonomously within Catalonia. It provides healtcare services including, but not limited to, medical consultations, hospital care, emergency services, and other healthcare-related support.
12 Although it is not part of this research, it is important to state that young African migrants have relatively more advantages than older African migrants in terms of receiving help from civil society organisations for accommodation as well integration courses.
13 The size of the ethnic enclaves could be another factor; however, the number South American migrants in the labour market cannot be explained simply by the size of the group in Barcelona as the Asian population is just as large.
14 Referring to my interviewees from Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as myself.
15 There are many other irregular street vendors in this specific place, who shall remain unnamed to protect the anonymity of the interviewee.